SL prez polls: 70% polling recorded till afternoon (4th Lead)

Colombo, Nov 16 (IANS) The voter turnout in Sri Lanka's presidential elections hit 70 per cent by 2 p.m. local time on Saturday, election officials said.According to local officials on ground, most districts in the island nation had recorded at least a 65-70 per cent turnout in the first seven hours, after the voting opened at 7 a.m. local time, Xinhua reported. The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence said there were a total of 139 incidents of election violations reported across the country till afternoon. A majority of the violations were illegal campaigning and voter intimidation.The Elections Commission said the voting will end at 5 p.m. and urged political parties to ensure a free and fair poll.35 candidates are in fray for presidential elections and the results are expected to be announced by Monday.
--IANS vin/