Presidential hopefuls say that the election was not free and fair though violence was much less than anticipated

Siritunga Jayasuriya, the candidate for United Socialist Party (USP), told BBC Sandeshaya that one reason for the high rurnout was it being the first national poll after the military defeat of the LTTE.

"The other reason for this voter enthusiasm is that Gen Fonseka, President Rajapaksa's commander in the war against the LTTE becoming his main rival," he said.

'Divided state'

Admitting that the violence on the polling day was much less that expected, Mr. Jayasuriya said the main reason for the relative peace in the elections was the state itself dividing between the two main candidates.

The only Tamil candidate in the election, MK Sivajilingam MP, said the turnout in Jaffna is very low as a result of few explosions.

	Mr. Sivajilingam says voters in Jaffna were intimidated

"In addition, there were no transport services, either private or government buses, until 11am I travelled around the city but did not see any bus," he told BBC Sandeshaya.

He accused authorities of deliberately stopping transport services to prevent people from voting.

Mr. Sivajilingam, a member of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) who is contesting as an independent candidate added that there were no facilities for the recently resettled people in Kilinochchi and Pooneryn to exercise their democratic right and the voter turnout was very low as a result.

"I think this is an attempt to prevent anti-government votes," he said.

Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne, Presidential Candidate of the Left Front said that none of the leading candidates are able to bring harmony to the country. "The struggle to win rights will have to continue regardless of the victor," he added.

The voters were deciding between twenty-two candidates. But the main contenders are the current president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and General Sarath Fonseka, who led the army to victory against the Tamil Tigers last year.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gen Sarath Fonseka are the main contenders of 2010 January presidential polls.