41 candidates place bonds: Special traffic plan for Rajagiriya

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Accepting of bonds for the presidential election concluded at 12 noon today (October 06). According to the National Elections Commission, 41 candidates placed bonds for the election. This is the highest number of candidates that have placed bonds for a presidential election in the history of the island. Eight candidates placed bonds for the election today. K.M. Sivalingam, M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Gunapala Thissa Kuttiarachchi, Mahipala Herath, and A.H.H. Alavi placed bonds as independent candidates at the elections commission today. Priyan Edirisinghe placed bonds as the representative of the "Okkoma Wasiyo Okkoma Rajawaru" organization, while Namal Rajapaksa placed bonds as the candidate of the Nationalities Unity Organization and Subramaniyam Gunarathne placed bonds as the representative of Our National Front. Thereby 19 candidates representing recognized political parties, and 19 candidates contesting independently have placed bonds for the election. Three candidates representing other parties have also placed bonds. A special traffic plan will be in effect in Rajagiriya tomorrow (October 07) in line with the accepting of nominations for the presidential election. Police media spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara noted that security in the area will be beefed up from tonight. He added that no heavy vehicles will be allowed in the area except for public transport buses. Party supporters will only be allowed in several allocated areas. According to the police, public arriving in the area will have to pass through multiple checkpoints before being allowed into the allocated areas for party supporters. The police also note that members of the public under the influence will not be allowed into these areas. Police media spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara noted that candidates would not be allowed to engage in parades or display posters, banners or distribute leaflets. SP Gunasekara further added that the use of loudspeakers without proper permission will not be allowed. He finally stated that legal action would be initiated against any individuals violating election laws. He requested motorists to use alternative routes as much as possible.