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As the lines of voters lengthen in the country, an attack took place on a bus carrying Muslim voters. REUTERS / Dinuka Liyanawatte

This Saturday morning, November 16, a bus convoy carrying Muslim voters was attacked with stones and firearms in northwestern Sri Lanka. No serious casualties for the moment, but this could have an impact on participation in this part of the country.

With our regional correspondent , Sébastien Farcis

The attackers blocked a road in the north-west of the island, with burning tires and improvised barriers. This is to slow down this convoy, consisting of several chartered buses to transport Muslim voters. They then stalled and fired bullets into the windows of at least two of the vehicles before fleeing. No one was seriously injured and voters were able to go to the polling station.

It is not yet known who is behind this attack, but the eyes turn to the camp of Gotabhaya Rajapakse , favorite candidate of this presidential. His supporters have already sought to intimidate Muslim and Tamil voters, who could vote for his opponent.

►Also read: Rajapakse clan in a good position to return to power in Sri Lanka

At the end of the civil war against the Tamil Tigers, when his brother Mahinda Rajapakse was president, many Tamils, suspected of helping the rebellion, were arbitrarily arrested by the army. Many are afraid of the return of this clan known for its authoritarian policy. And Muslims, they fear that the Rajapakse support Buddhist extremists who regularly plunder Muslim businesses for a year.

The elections are taking place in a climate that is already rather anxiety-provoking. A few months after the attacks that killed 290 people and wounded 500 others in Columbo, the speech was made on security which favored the candidate of the clan Rajapakse.