‘Low levels of violations’:

Polls monitor commends EC

by Manjula Fernando

Leading election watchdog PAFFREL, commending the Election Commissioner’s (EC) role in transferring the Secretary, Ministry of Posts, said incidents of misuse of State power in the current election have come down significantly compared to previous elections.

PAFFREL Chairman Rohana Hettiarachchi told the Sunday Observer, his organization had recorded 77 cases of misuse of State power, assets and officials starting from nominations to date, a remarkable decline compared with elections held previously.

He attributed the decrease in instances of law violations to the efforts of the Elections Commissioner. “His role had been pivotal in salvaging the state sector from politics and elections resulting in an improved polls culture in the country,” Hettiarachchi said adding, “When action against powerful figures in the Ministries are taken without fear or favour, it sets a healthy precedent.

It will go down as a warning for others.”

Earlier, two more additional Secretaries were also transferred out, with the intervention of the Elections Chief. “We have a long way to go but what we have seen so far is encouraging,” Hettiarachchi said.

In the most recent cases of polls related violence and violations, the monitors recorded an attack on a UPFA election office in Nivithigala on Friday and distribution of Rs.100,000 worth loan forms by a UNF candidate in Welimada yesterday. A vehicle belonging to a TNA candidate was arrested on Friday with a collection of sample ballot papers. A group of supporters of Candidate Sirithunga Jayasuriya of United Socialist Front came under attack on Friday night.

According to PAFFREL, it has recorded 103 confirmed serious cases of violence, 77 confirmed cases of misuse of state power, assets, and officials and 612 other cases of election law violations. Another 125 unconfirmed incidents of election violations have also been reported to PAFFREL. According to the Police Spokespersons’ office the police has arrested over 438 people and carried out 143 raids over election related incidents, since receiving of nominations.