By Aamna Mahboob
The preliminary report of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) on the forth coming local council elections in Batticaloa urged the Government to make a credible demonstration of its capacity to control violence and dispel the fears of the people regarding the possible use of arms by some of the contesting parties.
PAFFREL also demanded that civil society be active in the period leading to the elections and organize fact-finding visits and encourage voters to affirm their democratic rights. It also wants the international community to monitor the elections and help create an environment for a free and fair election.
PAFFREL chairman Kingsley Rodrigo said in a media statement there was a possibility of violence and election malpractice as the election campaign gathers momentum, as the armed groups have not been disarmed
He said the Government’s decision to conduct local council elections in nine out of twelve divisions in the Batticaloa district has been opposed by key opposition parties which have not put forward candidates but have, however, resorted to legal action.
The inability or unwillingness of two prominent opposition parties, the TNA and UNP, to contest these elections have been due to their fear of their members getting killed or otherwise harmed by the armed groups.
They said the conditions of violence that prevailed in Batticaloa over the past several months preclude the possibility of free and fair elections.
Various groups including political parties have made calls to postpone the elections as the presence of armed TMVP cadres has been a serious threat free and fair elections.
However Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake has authorized the DIRIYA Foundation to carry out observation activity in polling booths.
DIRIYA Foundation secretary Lionel Gulawita said his organisation monitors will monitor activity during the pre-election campaign.
The preliminary report of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) on the forth coming local council elections in Batticaloa urged the Government to make a credible demonstration of its capacity to control violence and dispel the fears of the people regarding the possible use of arms by some of the contesting parties.
PAFFREL also demanded that civil society be active in the period leading to the elections and organize fact-finding visits and encourage voters to affirm their democratic rights. It also wants the international community to monitor the elections and help create an environment for a free and fair election.
PAFFREL chairman Kingsley Rodrigo said in a media statement there was a possibility of violence and election malpractice as the election campaign gathers momentum, as the armed groups have not been disarmed
He said the Government’s decision to conduct local council elections in nine out of twelve divisions in the Batticaloa district has been opposed by key opposition parties which have not put forward candidates but have, however, resorted to legal action.
The inability or unwillingness of two prominent opposition parties, the TNA and UNP, to contest these elections have been due to their fear of their members getting killed or otherwise harmed by the armed groups.
They said the conditions of violence that prevailed in Batticaloa over the past several months preclude the possibility of free and fair elections.
Various groups including political parties have made calls to postpone the elections as the presence of armed TMVP cadres has been a serious threat free and fair elections.
However Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake has authorized the DIRIYA Foundation to carry out observation activity in polling booths.
DIRIYA Foundation secretary Lionel Gulawita said his organisation monitors will monitor activity during the pre-election campaign.
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