70,000 to Be Staffed in Sri Lanka General Election 2010

Commissioner of election stated in a press release that his department will employee over 70,000 election staff for the upcoming Sri Lanka General Election 2010. This is double the amount what it used to be in the presidential election held back in January. According to the commissioner, the number is justifiable enough as the parliamentary election involves a larger number of candidates compared to the presidential election. Unlike in the presidential election, the department have the extra duty of counting the preferential votes of candidates in this general election.

Meanwhile the leader of Jathika Nidahas Peramuna met with the election commissioner on 15th February 2010, to discuss some important matter regarding the election. Speaking to the press Mr. Wimal Weerawansa said, he raised concerns to the commissioner that proper measures must be taken to keep the counting process as transparent as much possible, to avoid post-election complaints by losing parties. He was citing the event where opposition parties allegations of an election rigging during the counting process of the recently concluded presidential election. Mr.Weerawansa insisted that a similar incident should not happen in the upcoming General Election 2010.