Sept 09, Colombo: Five police areas which recorded the highest number of violent incidents at the election for the Eastern Provincial Council have been provided with special security until the results of the preferential votes are issued, Election Department says.

Security has been strengthened in Akkaraipattu, Pothuvil, Thirukkovil, Sammanthurai and Kalmunai police areas from where a considerable number of election violence has been reported.

Police media spokesman Ajith Rohana said that special security will be provided to these police areas today and ahead if needed.

The preferential votes are yet to be counted after the release of the final result. Results of the preferential votes are expected to be released by afternoon today.

Police deployed 21,000 personnel for the security of the election in the three Provincial Councils. In addition, around 300 police motorcycles were deployed in mobile patrol, the police spokesman said.