Rigging said underway in deserted Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 29 January 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The streets of Jaffna remained largely deserted except for the vehicles of the Tamil groups contesting today's polls which were seen running about transporting supporters to the polling booths.

Shops were closed. Most people remained indoors.

There is a lot of rigging going on said a local journalist who went around the town this afternoon.

The more powerful Tamil groups are rotating impersonators in significant numbers to cast votes in their favour he said.

Some parts of the town are so deserted as though there is a curfew in place said the local journalist.

Both the PLOTE and the EPDP claimed this afternoon that they are sure of victory.