UNP says the Govt. is trying to exploit military gains to win elections

Meanwhile, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) says that over 43,000 voters are registered twice in Colombo district.

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) accused the government of using military victories to whitewash voter intimidation, corruption and other malpractices.

"The government is trying to sell military victories to win the Western Provincial Council (WPC) elections," UNP general secretary Tissa Attanayake told BBC Sandeshaya.

However, the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) categorically denies the accusation.

Multi votes

UPFA general secretary, Education Minister Susil Premjayantha told BBC Sandeshaya that the voters in the western province are educated enough to make an informed decision.

	CaFFE says over 40,000 voters are registered twice in Colombo

"If people wholeheartedly approve the government strategy against terrorism that is their opinion" he said.

Meanwhile, elections monitors have sought judicial remedy to prevent thousands of voters offered multi votes in the WPC elections scheduled to be held on 25 April.

CaFFE media spokesman Keerthi Tennakoon earlier told BBC Sandeshaya: "1610 voters in Colombo district are registered three times and there are those who were registered four and five times".

In a petition filed in the appeals court, the monitoring group has requested the court to annul the multi registrations.

"92,624 voting cards were issued to 45,447 voters," Mr. Tennakoon said.

CaFFE accused the elections commissioner of not taking adequate measures to rectify the situation despite repeated requests.

In a letter sent on Friday to the commissioner, it said that 12,248 voters are registered twice in Gampaha district.

24,863 voting cards were issued to 12,369 voters, according to the letter.

The BBC could not contact the commissioner despite repeated attempts.

Over 3.8 million voters are registered in three districts.