Over 17 mln Sri Lankans to vote in local gov't polls

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka went for a long-delayed nationwide local government election on Tuesday for the first time in seven years. Over 17 million registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots to elect representatives to 339 local bodies across the island, according to the chairman of the country's election commission, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake.

Voting was scheduled on Tuesday from 7 am to 4 pm local time. Sri Lankan police authorities said nearly 65,000 police officers have been deployed across the country to ensure public safety, with military support on standby if needed.

The election is seen as a litmus test for the government's popularity. According to the election commission, voters are eligible to vote to elect 8,287 members into 339 local government bodies, which include 28 municipal councils, 36 urban councils, and 275 pradeshiya sabhas.

Sri Lanka's ruling party, the National People's Power, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the United National Party, and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna will take part in the election.