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Low turnout at Provincial council polls in the east

The Eastern Province elections saw low turnout by Muslims reported TamilNet.

The polls, held on Saturday, saw around 60% of registered voters casting their vote.

TamilNet said that turnout was low, especially in Muslim areas, thought to be due to an “internecine fight between Muslim political parties”.

There were also reports of threats and intimidation in Trincomalee and Amparai.

More than ten ministers of the ruling UPFA, including Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senarathne, are reported to have threatened voters and local officials in Trincomalee to vote for the UPFA candidates.

TNA member Gunaratnam and his supporters were threatened in Amparai by UPFA candidate Pushparasa and his bodyguards, reported TamilNet.

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