Election monitors yesterday said that more than 3,000 eligible voters in IDP camps may not have the chance to vote at the upcoming local government elections in Mulaitivu and Puthukudiyiruppu next month since they do not have a proper identification card.

People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said that they had written to Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya to inquire on whether the IDP’s could use their camp identity card to vote at the election.

“It is not necessary to possess a national identity card at an election as long as the voter has some kind of identification. However most people in Menik Farm and the other areas where elections will be held do not possess a driving license, passport or other such documentation and therefore it is necessary to ensure they have some type of identification,” Hettiarachchi.

He said voters should apply for temporary identification during the next two weeks before election day on March 24. (Olindhi Jayasundere)