By: Isuru Parakrama
November 12, Colombo (LNW): To ensure a secure environment for the upcoming general election, approximately 64,000 police officers will be deployed nationwide from today (12), Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa disclosed.
This deployment covers security needs across all constituencies, with officers stationed at polling stations and prepared to remain on duty throughout election day, November 14, and beyond if necessary.
In preparation for the vote, 13,383 polling stations have been set up across the country, slightly exceeding the number of constituencies, which totals 13,314.
Nearly 3,200 Special Task Force (STF) officers are on active duty, enhancing the primary deployment with specialised support, according to DIG Thalduwa.
He added that around 12,227 police personnel are also directly involved in election-specific operations, with the overall number of police officers engaged in election security estimated to reach 70,000.
Furthermore, approximately 11,000 army personnel will be stationed at strategic points across the country, focusing on high-risk areas that require additional security.
These troops will provide reinforcement where police officers have been re-assigned for election duty.
“Army officers are on standby and ready to assist if the need arises,” DIG Thalduwa emphasised, underscoring the scale of the security operation.
