International observers to monitor counting in general election

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 March 2010, 15:54 GMT]
International monitors will be deployed at all counting centres in the twenty-two electoral districts during the forthcoming general election that is scheduled to be held on April 8, Commissioner of Elections Dayananda Dissanayake told party leaders at a meeting held Friday in his secretariat. He added that he is prepared to invite international monitors to observe counting of votes at counting centres following a request made by the main opposition United National Party (UNP).

UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayake made a request to the Elections Commissioner to deploy international monitors at counting centres to ensure the correct results without giving room for any manipulation.

Opposition parties earlier alleged that the results of presidential elections held on January 26 were manipulated.

President Mahinda Rajapakse defeated opposition common candidate General (retd) by a margin of 1.8 million votes in the last presidential election.