Only independant groups have filed nominations so far

Executive director of PAFFEREL, Kingsley Rodrigo, told BBC Sandeshaya that 48 foreign activists are currently in the island working with the Non Violent Peace Force (NVPF).

The NVPF activists will monitor the local polls on the election day, he added.

Elections for three local bodies, in predominant Muslim areas, were held in May 2006.

First elections since 1994

This is the first time elections for local bodies in Batticaloa to be held since 1994.

The Sri Lanka government announced capturing all LTTE-held areas in the east earlier last year.

	Karuna faction led by Pillaiyan is accused of threatening and intimidating voters

Political parties including that of members of the ruling coalition have raised serious concern over the violence in the district.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Tamil parties accused the TMVP, known as Karuna faction, led by Pillaiyan of intimidating voters and threatening their prospective candidates.

The EPDP, PLOTE and EPRLF Pathmanaba Wing have meanwhile decided to contest together as an independent group.

Increasing violence

The group however says that the security situation is not conducive to conduct elections in the east.

EPRLF District organiser, R Thurairatnam earlier told BBC Sinhala.com that violence committed by the militant groups in the east is serious threat to democratic elections.

"Our aim was to join together with the TMVP to stop widespread violence including abductions, killings, robberies and taking ransom", he said.

The nominations for the polls are to be filed before 25 January. Only independent groups have filed nominations by Sunday.

Mr. Rodrigo said the NVPF has already received about 15 complaints about violence in the district leading to the elections.

The monitors are to establish one monitoring office for the each local body contested, he added.