Postal voting in former LTTE territory

Colombo: Postal voting in the two local council elections in the former LTTE territory of Mullaithivu district in the norther Sri Lanka has been delayed following a court order, officials said. The postal voting for the March 24 election was to take place yesterday and today. People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), which had gone to court arguing that polls should be held only after proper resettlement, said the next hearing of the Court of Appeal case will be on March 19. Puthukudyiruppu and Maritimepattu pradeshiya sabha (local council) elections are the last of the 335 local councils in the island. The elections for 333 councils were held on a staggered basis throughout 2011. State officials, members of the security officers and police, who will be on election duties on the polling day are eligible to apply for postal voting rights. (PTI)