Eighteen foreign observers from Asian countries will be here to monitor the May 10 Eastern Provincial elections, Mr. S. Medawewa, consultant to the Elections Secretariat said yesterday.

These observers will be sent by the elections authorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Taiwan, Nepal and Tajikistan.

"They are due to be here by Sunday," Medawewa said.

Complaints by the SLMC and other opposition parties of the abuse of state media in favour of the ruling party cannot be checked by the Elections Department due to the lack of legal provisions to do so, a departmental official said.

"The Provincial Council Act No.2 of l1988 has no provision conferring the power of controlling the state media on Elections Commissioner who is empowered to do so in the case of Presidential and Parliamentary elections, departmental sources said.

Campaigning must end next Wednesday, 48 hours before polling, Additional Commissioner of Elections (Local and Provincial) W.P. Sumanasiri said.

He said that arrangements were being finalized sending polling officials to the various polling stations along with ballot boxes and other material on May 9.

Consultant Bandula Kulatunga at the Elections Secretariat said that a National Identity Card or a photo document such as a valid passport, driving license or pension identity card must be produced by the voter before he is issued a ballot paper.

Other identity documents that will be accepted include a Bhikku ID card, railway season ticket ID or a special ID card on a form available with the Grama Niladari. Other photo IDs lawfully issued by any government authority or document issued by the Grama Sevakas in 2006 and 2008 are also acceptable.