CaFFE says many voters in Uva do not possess identity cards

Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) media spokesman Keerthi Tennakoon told BBC Sandeshaya that over 25 percent of voters in Uva province do not possess any alternative identity cards recommended by the authorities.

The commissioner of elections has announced that all voters should carry the national identity card (NIC) or an alternative identity card for the polls.

'Expensive IDs'

“There is a considerable amount of Sinhala and Tamil estate workers in Badulla district. More than 25 percent of them do not have any form of recommended ID,” Mr. Tennakoon told BBC Sinhala service.

He said these estate workers find it difficult to get an alternative ID due to financial difficulties.

“It is difficult for the estate workers to spend about Rs. 300, which is about three days wages of an estate worker, to get and alternative ID,” he said.

The government has earlier dissolved the Uva provincial council paving the way for fresh elections.

Meanwhile, the government says it has been conducting a mobile service to issue NICs in Badulla district.