Sri Lanka Police to deploy 54,000 personnel for Presidential election duties

30 August 2024 06:56 am Views - 605

Colombo, August 30 (Daily Mirror) - In preparation for the upcoming Presidential election, the Sri Lanka Police has announced that appromexiate 54,000 personnel will be deployed from its force of 77,000 to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process. 

The police personnel will be stationed across the country to manage polling stations, counting centres, oversee the transportation of ballot boxes, and address any potential disturbances, ensuring that the election proceeds without incidents.

Senior DIG (Election) Asanka Karavita said that police personnel will be stationed at 13,000 polling stations and 45 counting centres across the country.

In addition, 3,200 police mobile patrolling vehicles will be in operation during the election period to maintain law and order.

The police are also taking proactive measures to address election-related violations.

Senior DIG Karavita said police have hired 1,500 labourers to remove illegal cutouts, posters and banners. 

The Senior DIG said that so far, 169,358 illegal posters, banners and cutouts have been removed, with 61,062 posters, 512 banners and 793 cutouts taken into police custody.

He said three police officers have been assigned to each of the 607 police stations nationwide for election duties and to investigate into election related complaints.

In addition, over 260 police personnel are assigned for the security of Presidential candidates. 

Police personnel are also being deployed for the security of over 250 scheduled election rallies and the premises where ballot papers are being printed.