He said another 3,000-5,000 police personnel would be deployed for security at counting centres.
Deshapriya said he requested the Police to keep an anti-riot squad of 1,500 and the STF ready for any emergency situation.
He said the first postal vote results would be released around 8 p.m. on election day while the first polls result would be released before midnight.
He said each Provincial Council would get two bonus seats based on results.
Deshapriya requested all eligible voters in the Western and Southern Provinces to use their vote to elect suitable candidates for the two Provincial Councils. Addressing a press conference at the Elections Secretariat on Thursday, he said arrangements are in place for free and fair elections in the two provinces.
The Elections Commissioner said a valid identity document is mandatory for voters to prove their identity to vote at the polling station.
Deshapriya said the National Identity Card, Passport, Driving Licence, Government Pensioner's Identity Card (issued through the Divisional Secretary), Elder's Identity Card, Identity Cards of the members of the clergy issued by the Department of Registration of Persons and Temporary Identity Card (issued through the Department of Elections) are recognised by the Secretariat as valid identity documents.
He said a ballot paper would not be issued for photocopies of the above mentioned documents or company or service identity cards. Deshapriya said the polls will take place from 7.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. on March 29. He said a maximum of three preferential votes can be marked, adding that if preferred a voter can also vote only for the party without marking preferential votes. He said the confidentiality of each and every voter and the security of voters are fully guaranteed. Deshapriya requested both public and private sector employers to grant leave with pay (not less than four hours in duration) to employees who are entitled to vote to enable them to cast their votes. He said 45,000 - 50,000 public servants and officers have been deployed for duties in polling stations while another 25,000-27,000 have been deployed to count votes and process results.
