Police to use mini cameras to record election violations

People who are involved in election violation activities will be monitored using sensitive video devices such as mini-video cameras during the Presidential Election, Police Spokesman SSP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

He said 71 mini-video cameras and 321 jackets that were to be used by police officers, were received by the election watchdogs People's Action for Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL) and Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV).

The equipment will be issued to selected police officers at each police division to be used during the election.

“Once the presidential election is over, these sensitive camera devices will be used in the crime-related investigations and to obtain videos of unlawful protests. As such, these videos could be produced in courts to take legal action against those who engage in unlawful protests,” SSP Gunasekera said.

Meanwhile, the spokesman said that a total of 44 people were arrested in relation to election law violations.

He said 41 complaints had been received to the police with regard to election violations, while 64 election violation incidents were also reported as of yesterday. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

Pix by Damith Wickramasingha