April 17, Colombo (LNW): A growing number of incidents tied to the upcoming Local Government elections have sparked concern among electoral authorities and civil society observers, as police have confirmed the arrest of 18 candidates linked to various election-related offences.
These arrests were made over a period stretching from March 3 to April 16, as part of efforts to maintain order and ensure the integrity of the 2025 electoral process.
In a statement issued by the Police Media Division, it was further revealed that law enforcement authorities have taken into custody 62 individuals believed to be supporters of political parties, along with 14 vehicles suspected of being used in connection with unlawful election activities.
Police noted the registration of 38 criminal complaints directly linked to the Local Government election campaigns, alongside an additional 138 reports concerning violations of election laws.
These include instances of unauthorised campaigning, defacement of public property, failure to adhere to guidelines set by the Election Commission, and other breaches of electoral conduct.
Authorities have indicated that many of the investigations remain ongoing, with further arrests likely as surveillance operations continue.
