Sri Lanka Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake called upon all presidential candidates to ensure a free and fair election sans violence on Nov. 17, the Daily News reported Saturday.

Making a special statement after receiving nominations from the 13 presidential candidates vying for the fifth executive presidency Friday, Dissanayake said the 2004 General Election marked the first instance after 20 long years a curfew was not imposed in the immediate aftermath of the polls.

He said that he hoped this precedent will be followed in the future.

Reading out election rules, he commented that the display of banners and posters in public places will be completely banned and police would take action to remove the existing ones.

Requesting candidates to refrain from using polythene for election decorations he said they should ensure that banners and posters would be restricted to campaign sites.

As many as 13 candidates have filed nominations to face Sri Lanka's presidential poll to be held on Nov. 17 to elect the country's fifth executive president.

The Commissioner of Elections accepted nominations of 13 candidates which was closed at 11 a.m. (0500 GMT) Friday.

Source: Xinhua