TMVP to contest elections sans guns

Referring to the forthcoming election in the Eastern Province the Chairman of the Action for Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL), Kingsley Rodrigo said that Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) pledged to give their fullest support to the conduct of free and fair elections.
According to him the TMVP is of the view that the election was important to them as they hoped to gain democratic legitimacy through them.
But they expressed apprehension that other parties might seek to disrupt the elections. The PAFFREL Chief said that he has been officially informed by the TMVP that the party has decided to lay down arms in view of the forthcoming local polls scheduled for March 10.
According to political analysts this step taken by the TMVP would contribute to the strengthening of the democratic process in the East. Following his recent fact finding visit to Batticaloa the Chairman said that he had lengthy discussion with the TMVP regarding good governance and added it is during the discussion that the TMVP chief mayoral candidates pledged him that the party would not carry arms again.
The government officials reported that they were making preparations for the elections in which the registered number of voters is 270,471 and that these preparations were preceding smoothly. About 4000 government officials will be involved in election duties and will be overlooking 285 polling stations. The police reported that the police presence in the district had been strengthened and this was visible in the extra checkpoints visible in the area. In addition contesting candidate had been assured of two police guards each. So far about 200 out of the 813 candidates who are vying fro 101 positions in local authorities had requested police protection." Mr. Rodrigo said in a statement.
"The government's decision to conduct local government elections in nine out of twelve divisions in the Batticaloa district has been contested by key opposition parties which resorted to legal action, and by civil society group," the statement said.