Another batch of marked ballot papers has been found in a hall at the St. Andrew’s Central College in Puttalam, according to a UPFA candidate and former member of the North Western Provincial Council.

Three polythene bags filled with ballot papers were initially discovered on Tuesday (September 24) inside a building of the same school, which was used as a counting center for the Provincial Council polls.

Those ballot papers were sealed and are currently in the custody of the Puttalam Court.

However, addressing a press conference in Puttalam yesterday (28), former UPFA Provincial Councilor Abdeen Ahiya had alleged that more marked ballot papers were found in a hall at the school the following day (25).

He stated that the ballot papers in question were handed over to the Puttalam District Returning Officer by the school’s principal and charged that the action taken regarding them has so far been kept secret.

Mr Ahiya stressed that if the ballot papers found on September 24 are considered as evidence and are in the court’s custody, then the ballot papers discovered the following day are also evidence and for them to be in the possession of the Puttalam District Secretary is illegal and also raises suspicion.

Puttalam District Returning officer Kingsly Fernando, when inquired by Ada Derana regarding the new discovery, confirmed that officers from the Elections Office were sent to St. Andrew’s Central College, on information received that more ballot papers have been found at the school, in order to retrieve them.

He stated that the new batch of ballot papers has not been counted and that they have been stored in a safe place.

The Elections Commissioner has been informed of the latest discovery and therefore necessary measures will be taken according to the instruction received, Mr Fernando said.