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'Election result reflects people's will'

by Manjula Fernando

The result of the election reflected the political will of the people in spite of the alarming rate of violence and intimidation, Chief Observer of the European Election Observation Mission John Cushnahan said yesterday.

"However, leaders of the new government must ensure the people's democratic right to vote in future," he said.

Mr.Cushnahan was speaking at a media conference at Hotel Lanka Oberoi after the release of their preliminary report. He said the election was marred by violence without any commitment from the major political parties to prevent their supporters from taking to arms to win the election.

"There were alarming reports of violence in certain areas such as Kandy, Matale, Kurunegala, Puttalam and Anuradhapura, in some places just in front of the EU observers themselves. During this campaign 43 people were murdered, 17 on the election day itself," he said.

However, the Chief Observer commended the turnout at the election despite the murders, intimidation and violence experienced in some parts of the country.

"The incoming government has an enormous task ahead to ensure that future elections strengthen the democratic process. This process has been under great stress and strain because of actions of successive governments," he said.

He said that the EU observation team at the last year's election made some representations which included guidelines for a free and fair election but they were never taken into consideration.

The EU requested the new government to take action to see that those involved in violence are prosecuted and punished.

The EU team expressed their satisfaction on the degree of impartiality of the election management body including the commitment of the Elections Commissioner to ensure a regular election even under difficult conditions and personal pressure.

They have expressed great concern over the fairness of access to State resources made available for the election and the fairness of access for political parties, alliances and candidates to the media.

Their final report will be prepared within the next 2-3 weeks and will be submitted to the Elections Commissioner through their local agents. The EU team will leave the country by tomorrow.

EU Ambassador Ilkka Uusitallo, Deputy Chief Observer Anders Eriksson, Logistics Advisor Nathalie Renaud, Elections Advisor Mark Stevens and Media Advisor Mary Cummins were also present at the media conference. 

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