Voting came to a close in the North-East earlier today, as Tamils across the region cast votes for local government polls.
Vavuniya
In Vavuniya, elections are being held for five local government bodies: the Vavuniya Municipal Council, Vavuniya South Tamil Pradeshiya Sabha, Venkala Cheddikulam Pradeshiya Sabha, Vavuniya North Pradeshiya Sabha, and Vavuniya South Sinhala Pradeshiya Sabha.
A total of 1,731 candidates are contesting to elect 103 members. Out of the 179,293 eligible voters, 154 polling stations have been established. The voting process was carried out under the security of the Sri Lankan police.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament M. Jegatheeswaran of the National People's Power cast his vote for the Vavuniya South Tamil Pradeshiya Sabha at the Kumankulam Siththi Vinayagar Vidyalayam. Additionally, Member of Parliament Kadar Masthan cast his vote for the Vavuniya Municipal Council at the Vavuniya Tamil Central College.
Mannar: Steady turnout in five local authority elections
Polling is also completed for five local government bodies within the district: the Mannar Municipal Council, Mannar Pradeshiya Sabha, Nanattan Pradeshiya Sabha, Musali Pradeshiya Sabha, and Manthai West Pradeshiya Sabha.
A total of 91,373 Individuals in the Mannar District are eligible to vote in this election. From these five local bodies, 88 members are to be elected.
The distribution of elected members is as follows, 15 members for the Mannar Municipal Council, 20 members for the Mannar Pradeshiya Sabha, 16 members for the Nanattan Pradeshiya Sabha, 16 members for the Musali Pradeshiya Sabha, 21 members for the Manthai West Pradeshiya Sabha.
In total, 103 candidates representing political parties and independent groups are contesting to secure 88 seats across these councils. Voting is taking place at 114 polling stations throughout the district.
It is also noteworthy that security arrangements have been significantly strengthened at both polling stations and vote-counting centers.
Mullaitivu: Smooth polling with nearly 50% turnout by afternoon
In the Mullaitivu District voting has closed to elect members for four Pradeshiya Sabhas: Karaithuraipatru, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Thunukkai, and Manthai East.
Polling is taking place across 137 voting stations throughout the district. This election covers 41 local wards within the aforementioned four Pradeshiya Sabhas.
The following parties and independent groups are contesting Karaithuraipatru Pradeshiya Sabha: 10 political parties and 2 independent groups, Puthukkudiyiruppu Pradeshiya Sabha: 7 political parties and 3 independent groups, Thunukkai Pradeshiya Sabha: 6 political parties and 2 independent groups, Manthai East Pradeshiya Sabha: 6 political parties and 2 independent groups
In total, 38 groups have submitted nominations for this election. Out of 87,800 eligible voters in the Mullaitivu District, 3,807 are registered for postal voting, leaving 83,993 eligible for direct voting today. As of 2:00 p.m., 40,699 votes had been cast, amounting to a voter turnout of 48.45%.
A total of 1,291 government officers have been deployed to manage the polling and counting centers, while 274 Sri Lankan police officers have been assigned to ensure security.
