On the eve of crucial presidential poll, Sri Lankan government today claimed that up to 800 army deserters may attempt to spark violence during the election, which is expected to witness a tough contest between incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa and opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka.
Foreign minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that over 68,000 police personnel and 25 army battalions have been put on alert for conduct of a peaceful presidential election.
"Our intelligence says between 600 and 800 army deserters headed by a former major general are roaming around to create
poll-related problems," he told a press conference here,
adding these "fugitives" had also collected unauthorised arms
and authorities were on the alert.
Bogollagama said these army deserters were being provided "patronage and cover" by some quarters.
"To engage these fugitives you will have to be known to them," the minister said, claiming that the deserters were more aligned with the Opposition.
Each polling station is therefore well-secured by both military as well as police, Bogollagama said, adding 2.5 lakh public servants have been deployed for election duty, either in polling booths or for counting.
The minister assured the elections would be conducted in a transparent manner and that 54 poll monitors would observe
the exercise.
As many as 1.4 crore voters have been registered and will be entitled to exercise their franchise in the presidential polls, the minister said.
In reply to a query on the Opposition threat to take to streets in case any rigging takes place, Bogollagama said the elections would be held in a free and fair manner.
"People have no time for these street protests. These are new trends," he said.
On why the government chose to go by the electoral list finalised in 2008 as this would deprive internally displaced Tamils the right to vote, the minister said many refugees had registered themselves for voting.
"The particular (2008) roll has to be used for practical reasons. With 2010 having barely started, the necessary time required for the Commissioner of Elections to apply the 2009 rolls has simply not been available to him," Bogollagama said.
He said using the 2008 roll, polling cards have been dispatched by the post long time back.
The minister said that in each polling booth, the candidates are entitled to station their agents, who can help them ensure that there is no impersonation or other malpractices.
In the event of polling card not reaching the voters through the postal service, the production of a legally authenticated identification will enable the concerned persons to cast their ballots, once their names are located on the electoral roll, he said.
