Police says that the number of complaints received in relation the general election has risen to 36.

The office of the Police Media Spokesperson said that 40 arrests have been made over these complaints.

In addition, the elections secretariat said that it has received 218 complaints while the National Polls Observation Centre has received 168 complaints. National Organizer of National Polls Observation Centre Rasanga Harischandra said that national Polls Observation Centre has received 168 complaints in relation to the election and among them were 21 acts of violence. He added they have also received reports of intimidation.

Meanwhile, the Elections Secretariat says that over 525,000 postal voting applications have been received from public sector employees who are expected to be assigned for duty at the upcoming parliamentary elections. Additional Elections Commissioner M.M Mohammed said the applications are currently being reviewed. Accepting of postal voting applications ended last Wednesday.

The Elections Secretariat has also announced that applications for temporary identity cards will be accepted until Aug. 10.  The secretariat further noted that all individuals without a valid identity card need to use a temporary identity card to prove their identity.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission has decided to issue guidelines on how police officers need to operate during the election period. Legal secretary, Attorney-at-Law Nimal Punchihewe said first phase of the programme will commence in the Sabharagamuwa province.

Furthermore, the Elections Secretariat says that it has received over 10,000 applications to exercise their franchise from a different polling centre.  Additional elections commissioner M.M. Mohammed said that majority of those applicants are from occupants of the Puttlam district who were evacuated from Mannar during the war. He added that the selection process of applications is currently underway. The time period given to change the relevant polling stations for those who feel insecure exercising their franchise from the relevant polling station ended July 14.

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