Presidential Election Govt. Printer seeks enhanced security for ballot paper printing

• Draws from past experience at LGs polls where inadequate security hampered process  

By Kelum Bandara  
Drawing from experiences at the last local government election where inadequate protection posed challenges in ballot paper printing, the Election Commission, at a meeting attended by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon yesterday, sought special police protection for the Government Press during the process for the conduct of the presidential elections, an official said yesterday.   

The Commission had a meeting with the IGP, the Postmaster General and the Government Printer yesterday to discuss arrangements for the conduct of the election to be declared at the end of this month.  
Commission’s Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake told Daily Mirror that he sought adequate security for the conduct of elections and the IGP assured his fullest possible cooperation.   
“Ballot paper printing commences only after nominations are closed for the elections. Normally, police protection is provided for the process at every election, but we sought special arrangements this time as per the request of the Government Printer,” he said.  
Government Printer Gangani Liyanage who attended the meeting said she asked for the deployment of police personnel around the premises of the Government Press this time in addition to the enhancement of security within the buildings where printing is on.  

“We have our own security personnel. We can assign them for internal security. We need extra security outside the premises this time. At the last local government elections, we were unable to proceed with printing ballot papers due to security concerns. We were not prepared to take a risk at that moment because of lack of adequate security,” she said.   
She also said more ballot papers would have to be printed this time.  
“We used two buildings for the printing process last time. This time, we may have to use three buildings for the purpose as we are required to print more ballot papers,” she said.  
The IGP confirmed that adequate security would be provided as requested.  
“It is our normal duty to provide adequate security for the conduct of elections every time,” he said.