Police to check bags of officials, party reps deployed at polling stations

By Dayaseeli Liyanage   

The Election Secretariat had instructed all police personnel on election duty to check all bags and parcels belonging to the election officers and political party representatives at polling stations before the commencement of voting, in order to ascertain that they do not carry weapons or explosives.   

It is further stated that divisional police officers should obtain their requirements of arms and ammunitions on approval from the Senior DIG (Elections) of the Police Field Force Headquarters.   

It is not only the building that is used as a polling booth to be regarded as the polling centre but the entire ground that houses the building to be considered as the centre and therefore no one should be allowed to bring in parcels or bags into the compound.   

The Security staff of VIPs should also be not allowed to carry weapons into the polling centres, and police officers who are on duty at these centres should take into their possession if any weapons are brought into the premises by these security staff.