More than 70 percent vote

26 January 2010 10:50 am - 53 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Sumaiya Rizvi

Island wide voter turnout was more than 70% while the voter turnout for the North and East Provinces was less, People’s Action Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Spokesperson Rohana Hettiarachchi said.

“The overall voter turnout was more than 70% island wide while the North and East witnessed a very low voter turnout of less than 20%,” Hettiarachchi said.

There were isolated incidents of violence that took place in Jaffna, Hambantota and Nawalapitiya with regard to grenade attacks and firing although these incidents were comparatively low considering the elections, Hettiarachchi said.

39 incidents of violence were reported at the time when the polls were closing, Hettiarachchi said. Although only 27 cases of violence were confirmed by the PAFFREL while 12 cases went unconfirmed, he added.

“There have been five cases of assaults, seven cases of intimidation and seven cases of illegal propaganda,” Hettiarachchi said. Seven of the most violent incidents were reported from the central province while the western and southern province had four incidents of election violence each, he said.

However when compared to the incidents of pre election violence that amounted to 757 the Election Day violence was comparatively low, Hettiarcachi said.

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Comments - 53

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:53 PM

Recognizing MR through this election means that the country is favoring corruption, nepotism etc. If that is the case many people will leave this country. Only thieves will remain in this country.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:54 AM

Less than 20% in North & East ??? well planned by the Government

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:58 AM

Less than 20%? It reminds me the news article "Nimal Lewke transfered"

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:58 AM

Mmhhh Unbeleivable???only 20% in North & East...It will effect greatly on the final result..Let see..Hope for a good President...

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:00 PM

H ah ha MR victory is sure now

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:01 PM

Fonseka forgot to register to vote and hid that fact from the nation. Is that kind of person who we want as the president?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:06 PM

20%?

Still LTTE has the power to change people decision????

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:15 PM

Less than 20 % in North & Esat. Ranil has to say poda sarath poda, poda ranil poda.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:31 PM

This shows that SF was not interested in politics in 2008, but deeply engaged in winning the war, so the country needs a leader with that type of commitment !

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:40 PM

Guys!

No matter whoever comes there is nothing going to change for the Minorities, especially for Tamils. 20% turnout?. The people are fed up with the elections and the promises given by the candidates. Why the candidates should go to the temples in Jaffna and adhere to the Kovil regulations (without shirts) to enter the Kovils during elections time only. Why cannot they visit Kovils in Colombo in the normal days to be with the people as they do for their own religion. The leader should be for all! Guys! note that you all are not fooling others, you are fooling yourselves!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:45 PM

20% turn out is as a result of bombs which put panic on general public to vote....
All these may be well prepland acts of govt....crap govt...
corrupted govt....
All you would have seen the honesty on SF's face while no one can see honestness on MR's face...See MR's face itself indicates...
all corrupted.....
god will decide who's gud for country...
SF Jaiho.......SF come on....Jai Ho....U will....

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:46 PM

Usuallly EPDP OR OTHER MILTAN GROUPS AND ARMY FORCES JAFFNA PEOPLE TO VOTE BUT THIS TIME AVOIDED TO DO BECAUSE ALL TAMIL VOTES WILL GOT TO SF so they only scared people not to vote.Funny

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:48 PM

UNP lovers wake up... Its MR time

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:50 PM

Are you a Norwegian Nalin?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:52 AM

Where is TNA? No tigers to to vote for them?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:58 PM

seems like the blocking of transportation by the Gov has done a major damage there..

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:24 PM

the bombs stopped them from voting

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:25 PM

i doubt. i also voted for him. but with this low turnout in NE, his chances are minimum

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:26 PM

Is this Democracy???? People used to say that it is Island wide election.... This time no LTTE... but still no votes cast.... what does it mean??

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:31 PM

No 20% of the vote is good. Last time only 1% voted. That means that over 150,000 people voted in Jaffna, and a similar number in Batticaloa and Trinco. That means at least 300,000 tamil people have voted. If you give 2/3rd to SF he gets 200,000- which is enough to win

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:45 PM

your logic needs some rethinking

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:11 PM

I can't understand why the present government need thuggery and killings to silence anyone who wish to speak against them, If they have been a righteous party,

I sincerely hope if SF comes to power, that he will change the political arena to a fair and level playing field.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:15 PM

hi international cominity now there is no ltte
so who stop the north east people not to vote

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:22 PM

If the Majority of the nation votes for hardships and a blind eye to nepotism, favouritism and Bribery, "GOOD FOR THEM" there is nothing in this world we could hope for them: Handouts, and needyness instead of a walking the roads to prosperity. But in case SF wins he will have a mighty bumpy road to ride to rid the nation of all the bad blood that flows in one of the most nicest countries on earth.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:43 PM

How naive are you! You think 80 percent made a conscious decision. It's obvious that the majority were either deprived of the opportunity (paperwork, transport) or threatened with violence.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:48 PM

However, the precious voters of Srilanka have shown their responsiblity.

Wednesday, 27 January 2010 01:06 AM

When will Srilankan politics ever be corruption free and our elcted leaders, ministers and governtment servants actually work for the people and not for their personal financial wealth. Perhaps we Srilankans living overseas with sound education and ethics should return to our homeland and lead our country in an honest and dedicated manner for the people, most whom are well below the poverty line and cannot make a decent living. Enough is enough. Rise up and lets do something.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:22 AM

New = MR = New MR .... the reality

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:08 AM

There should be a re-polling in the North and East as the people were not provided with the means to cast their votes.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:14 AM

finally it is over! hope for the best...

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:16 AM

This is just like the last presidnetial election..very low percentage of votes from North and East. So we know the result by now. This was not expected when the leaders said this is the first ever election as one nation....it shouold have been atleast 50%...so We wonder why? God Bless our motherland......

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:16 AM

SF lost his last chance. 20% vote turnout in NE implies a definite defeat, i'm afraid

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:17 AM

dream on 20% vote in east MR is the winner

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:17 AM

Definitely, it would be good for the current leader who is better than unknown military man

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:17 AM

By absenting themselves at the polling booths the Northern people have again spoken: they(80%) support the candidature of Mahinda Rajapakse! If they had cast their valuable votes things could have been different. This shows that TNA is not respected by the Tamils as well.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:18 AM

A new beginning with SF.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:18 AM

this is the change people requested.sarath fonseka is our new leader.we are free of thuggery rule

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:20 AM

less than 20% voter turn out in the north and the east is NOT good news for SF:(

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:20 AM

Change is on the way!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:21 AM

What a disservice Tamils have done to themselves by refraining from voting! MR will have a cakewalk. NEVERTHELESS, THIS ELECTION WOULD HAVE CONVEYED TO MAHINDA THAT A HUGE SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION WANTS HIM TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF CORRUPTION, AND HE CANNOT TAKE ANYONE FOR GRANTED.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:04 AM

HOPE FOR THE BEST FOR NEW LEADER TOMMORROW

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:23 AM

Change is coming hurray

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:24 AM

20% from NE means ...it will be impossible for SF to win.!!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:24 AM

20% in the nirth? Boycotting?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:25 AM

If SF can not take care of his own vote, how can he take care of us?????

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:26 AM

All v can do now is hope 4 d best!
as long as d election is not rigged what evers d outcome v must accept it as 1 nation!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:26 AM

People want a change and hope they used the vote in a wise manner. Otherwise the poor wil continue to suffer and the suffering of the tamil population will continue. Let us all hope for a more stable and peaceful country with a new President.

Said Hussein - UK

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:28 AM

I have seen an election forecast on which northern province was in much favor for SF and voting percentage was around 70% there. Based on that, the report tells SF would take 50.66%, but if voter turnaround is 20%, I think MR comes this time though I voted for SF.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:34 AM

Suresh, I stand with your comments. Join others too to welcome our Hero! General Fonseka. I heard that the goons are trying to escape, is it true?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:39 AM

O.K guys. This was your last chance for democracy and to decide the destiny of the people. Whether the outcome will be fair or unfair, people of Sri Lanka will have to accept it tomorrow and make up their minds. This will decide who will celibrate tomorrow, whether the people who wanted a change and a new hope or those who are benefitted by the present govt and those who believed in govt propaganda.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:39 AM

SF will be our next president

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:42 AM

hope for new change and good govrnance

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:44 AM

less than 20% in the North and East??? ok, TNA is out then!

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More than 70 percent vote

Comments - 53

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