COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Commissioner of Elections Dayananda Dissanayake has said the Indian model is best suited for the island-nation, which is yet to give effect to an independent poll body.

"The most appropriate body for Sri Lanka will be that of India; otherwise it will be difficult to conduct elections in this country," he told a press conference here on Friday.

Mr. Dissanayake said the Constitution was hastily amended in 2001, and it had its shortcomings. "No one blames the Indian Election Commissioner, but here everyone blames me."

All five members named for the Commission were from the same profession. "It is like a law commission, not an election commission," he said, pointing out that none with experience in conducting polls was on the body.

Mr. Dissanayake, 64, sought retirement in 2002 but the Supreme Court said he would have to continue in his post until a Commissioner-General was named and the independent Election Commission became operational. A total of 10,480 polling stations would be established for the November 17 Presidential poll. Voters in "uncleared areas" under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam would have their polling stations in a government-held area "in close proximity to the uncleared areas." Transport would be provided to voters there.

More voters

There was an increase of 4,28,128 voters since the last election. As the electoral register was updated before the December 26, 2004 tsunami, measures would be in place to ensure against impersonation.

Promising tough action against violence, Mr. Dissanayake said: "I will not hesitate to annul a poll where disturbances take place." The pattern of violence was changing with every election and the officials would maintain close vigil. If election was annulled in any area, a repoll would be held on November 19.

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