Sri Lanka provincial polls hit by low turn out

Election monitoring groups said a low voter turn out was witnessed when polls opened at 7 am (local time).

Polls close at 4 pm (local time).

Three of the 9 provinces are going for mid-term polls in the north central, eastern and south western (Sabaragamuva) provinces.

The election secretariat and monitoring groups said over 40 complaints of election wrong doings had been recorded by noon (local time). All related to illegal propaganda work, transporting of voters and intimidation of voters.

By mid day the Ampara district in the eastern province had recorded the highest turn out of 45 per cent.

Some 3.3 million voters are eligible to vote in the election where ruling United People's Freedom Alliamce (UPFA) is expected to retain the control of the three councils.