SLPP leads the race in Sri Lanka’s election law violations | EconomyNext (original) (raw)

Thursday August 6, 2020 2:20 pm

ECONOMYNEXT – The ruling Sri Lakna Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) leads the race in election law violations in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary polls, an election watchdog said.

Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) reported 340 violations, predominantly involving illegal campaigning, across the country in the run-up to the election that was held yesterday. Public officials including police officers were the second most complained of as violators, according to the report.

In its report, CMEV recorded 167 cases of illegal campaigning, 59 cases of intimidation, 24 cases of illegal poster cut-outs and a few cases of election offence, health guideline violations, and other polls related offences.

The organisation said numerous candidates continued to run ads on Facebook despite the campaigning prohibition on Election Day.

“There were a few incidents of votes being recorded as already being cast when a voter arrived at the polling station. Several affected persons were given dual ballot papers and allowed to vote after giving statements. Some went on to lodge complaints with the Election Commission.”

The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) had the highest number of complaints against it with 161 violations. Public officials including police officers had allegedly made 44 violations.

The opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) came in third with 40 violations. The United National Party (UNP), meanwhile, has 18 complaints of violations against it.

District wise, the highest number of violations were reported in Kandy with 36 cases while Badulla, Galle, Jaffna, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara recorded 20 or more cases each.

Breakdown of incidents recorded by CMEV till 5 pm

Digamadulla

CMEV had received reports that 60 All Ceylon Tamil Congress supporters had arrived at ITAK supporter J Kishanthan’s house in Kalmunai, Digamadulla district at 9PM on August 4, assaulted several persons there and damaged property. Two persons have been hospitalised.

Gampaha

A SLPP supporter was distributing a chit bearing numbers of the party’s candidates along with a rambutan to voters at the Ganhinigama North Community Hall polling centre in the Dompe.

Badulla

A 14-year old boy was arrested by the Madolsima police for providing transport services to voters to Kohenewala Sinhala Vidayalaya polling station in Passara, Badulla district by a lorry. Later, the boy was released on bail on the grounds that he is under 18. The OIC of the police had informed that they will report this matter to the court

In Bogahakumbura, police arrested a group of persons with a van who were distributing leaflets for Badulla Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Chaminda Wijesiri. The Police will produce the suspects at the nearest Magistrate tomorrow.

Kurunegala

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Pradeshiya Sabha members including Suresh Warnasooriya had lighted firecrackers within 50m of the Kobeigane Sri Parakrama Vidyalaya polling station in Nikaweatiya, Kurunegala district. (Colombo/Aug6/2020)