Individuals whose phones ring in polling centres will be arrested: Police

The police said today that voters would be arrested if their mobile phones rang inside polling stations, disrupting officials on duty. Therefore, the police said it would be advisable for voters not to carry mobile phones inside polling stations.

The Police Spokesman said any individual involved in actions relating to disrupting the peace will not be granted police bail and will be produced before the court.

“There is no need to bring mobile phones to polling centres. Only poll cards and accepted identity documents are necessary. Taking photos while casting votes, displaying the marked polling cards and taking selfies in front of polling centres have been restricted and legal action will be taken against those who violate the laws," the SSP said.

He also requested not to conduct any election promotion propaganda relating to the presidential election during the election "cooling-off" period.

"Two incidents related to distributing handbills during the "cooling-off" period were reported in Kandy and Madampe areas and the suspects were arrested. Later they were released on bail. Strict legal action will be taken against the individuals who work against the law," the SSP said.

He added that vote canvassing is strictly prohibited near polling stations or elsewhere.

"It is illegal to gang up within a 500-metre radius and voters should keep in mind not to behave in a manner that would disturb the people who come to cast their votes and the officers on duty at the polling centres," he said.

Transporting voters to polling centres and back to their homes is also restricted, he said

A total of 60,175 police officers and 8,080 civil defence force (CDF) personnel had been assigned from last morning to 12,856 polling centres.

25,712 police officers were assigned for duties including two police officers at each polling centre around the country.

"6,086 police officers would be assigned to 3,043 police mobile services countrywide. 6,086 more CDF officers will also be assigned to mobile services. 2,193 police officers had been assigned for duties at the 43 main counting centres. 1,233 officers have been assigned for 153 anti-riot teams to be stationed around the country," the spokesman said.

"There are 137 permanent road barriers around the country. 190 road barriers had been formed due to the presidential election. 1,688 police officers and 190 CDF officers had been assigned for all police barriers," he said.

Other than the election duties, police officers had been assigned for many other duties such as to look into the welfare of police officers on duty, to handle 119 emergency operations, duties at courts, duties to protect police stations and to conduct investigations on receiving election complaints to maintain the countries' National Security.

All these police officers were assigned for election duties from 6.00 a.m. today, the SSP added.

Meanwhile, Special Task Force (STF) officers had also been assigned for the protection of polling centres, for mobile services and as anti-riot forces.

90 individuals had been arrested with regard to 107 police complaints and 115 election law violations which were received by the police.

The "cooling-off" period for the presidential election commenced from Wednesday (13) night and would remain until a week after the election results were released. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)