However, such identity cards issued to voters for the Eastern Provincial Council elections would not be valid, he said.

A total of 170,049 temporary identity cards were issued to voters to exercise their franchise at the recently conducted provincial council elections.

Provincial wise, 18,184 temporary identity cards in the Western Province, 19,928 in the Uva, 32,110 in the North Central, 33,550 in the Central, 22,223 in the Wayamba and 28,131 in the Southern Province were issued in lieu of national identity cards. These were valid only for voting.

According to the Commissioner steps have been taken to issue eligible voters in the East with new temporary identity cards in lieu of national identity cards.

However, all voters in all provinces who do not possess national identity cards could apply through Grama Niladaris and obtain temporary identity cards within three weeks, he said.