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NTDTV |
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CHAN:
Residents in Sri Lanka's war-ravaged east are finally getting to vote. The army drove Tamil Tiger militants out of the area last year enabling the first provincial council elections in two decades. Here's more.
STORY:
The aim of Saturday's election is to strengthen a civilian administration in the region... that was formerly controlled by Tamil Tiger militants. This is part of the government's push to win a 25-year civil war.
[Nimraj Jayawansa, Trader]:
"After a long time we have got the opportunity to elect leaders for the east democratically. What we in this area want is not the narrow debate about whether a person is Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim but to elect the most qualified people."
Officials say about 1,300 delegates are contesting 37 seats in Saturday's election. Locals are hoping the vote will bring some sort of stability to the region.
[Abdul Mohammed Niaz, Resident]:
"What we want is freedom. That is why I am going to vote. Because of the war many people are suffering."
But the election is been held amidst tight security and the campaign has been relatively peaceful.
[Dayananda Jayaweera, Retired Government Worker]:
"There was no law in the eastern province. The people are very happy because there is peace. Now we need our own leaders for the administration of the eastern province. I think there may be a calm election
on the 10th of May 2008 and after then people can select their own leaders."
Provincial council elections are held every five years. But the voting in the north and east have been repeatedly postponed because of continued fighting since 1988. |
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