All parties and independent groups contesting for the election held their final propaganda rallies yesterday. The ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) held its final rally in Hambantota yesterday with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The government and political parties are in final preparations for the local government polls to be held on Thursday (17).

The schools that will be used as polling centers will be closed on 16th and 17th, while schools that will be used as counting centers will remain closed during this week, the Education Ministry announced.

The election will be held to elect representatives for 235 local government bodies and 94, 44,455 voters are eligible to vote this time. There will be 7, 402 polling stations in the country.