The total voter turnout of the Presidential Election 2015 exceeded 60 per cent in many parts of the country by 2.30 pm on January 08.

The District of Kandy had a voter turnout of 60 per cent by 2.30pm while 57 per cent in Polonnaruwa and 70 per cent was reported in Matale, sources of the Elections Department told Asian Mirror.

A turnout of 66 per cent in Anuradhapura at 2.30 pm, while 45 per cent in Matara, 40 per cent in Kalutara and 50 per cent in Kurunegala as at 11 am.

Voter turnout as at 2.00 pm Kilinochchi 55.03%, Mullaitivu 68%, Nuwara Eliya 70%, Kegalle 60%, Trincomalee 57% and as at 2.30 pm Vavuniya voter turnout stands at 60%.

The turnover of Badulla stands at 60% while turnover in Galle stands at 65% at 2.30pm.

The voter turnout in Colombo stood at 50 per cent and 38 per cent was recorded in Hambantota by 12 noon while the percentage in Gampaha stands at 50% at 1.30pm.

The turnout of Mannar over 50%, Vauniya 35%, Jaffna 25% & Mullaitivu 59% was recorded by 1.30 pm

Meanwhile, issuing a statement to the public, Information Department of Sri Lanka stated that the voter turnout will be even better by the evening and that no major incidents were reported during the first half of the election. However, there were a few minor scale incidents in some parts of the country.

Chairman of the Human Rights Commission Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa said that any instance election law violation can be reported directly to the Human Rights Commission through the hotline 1996.

CaFFE elections monitors also said that any incidents of election violence can be reported directly to them through 0114341524 and 0112866224.

(Hasitha Ayeshmantha)