Heavy security to ensure law and order on nomination day

• 1500 STF personnel to be deployed in areas in and around the commission

By Sujith Hewajulige   

Special Task Force (STF) personnel are to be deployed to ensure security at the Election Commission and surrounding areas to maintain order when submissions of nominations will take place for the presidential election.  

Chairman Election Commission Ananda Ratnayake said 1500 STF personnel will be deployed in  areas in and around the commission.   

It is reported that Air Force personnel will be deployed on buildings near the election commission in addition to the STF.   

Police headquarters said there will be a special traffic plan as well under which special passes will be issued to vehicles which are heading towards the commission in Rajagiriya on that day. 

 Only candidates will be able to use the pass according to police. An area will be allocated for supporters of candidates which is close to the commission.   

The decision on ensuring security were discussed and decided upon at a meeting which was held recently for which heads of election commission, service chiefs and high ranking police officers participated.   

Around 27 candidates have placed deposits as of yesterday and it is expected that the number would exceed 30 on the nomination day.  

Nominations for the presidential election will be received from 9 am on Thursday August 15 while objections could be filed till 11 am on that day.  

Some officers attached to the election offices out of Colombo have also been called in for duty at the head office on Thursday.   

Daily Mirror reported last week that a heavy security blanket will be in place for the nomination day.