Voter wins compensation over denial of franchise

Wasantha Ramanayake

COLOMBO: The Supreme Court awarded Rs. 75,000 as compensation and costs to a businessman prevented from casting his vote by the presiding officer. The compensation and cost were payable by the State.

The court held that the rights of petitioner K. M. Chandrapala of Halgranoya had been violated by the third respondent presiding officer appointed to the Ragala Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya at the Provincial Council Election held in July 10, 2004.

by the third respondent on the ground that he was a postal voter. Although he had protested and claimed that he was not a government servant to be a postal voter, he was not allowed to do so. Chandrapala stated that the third respondent did not allow him to vote even though the Grama Niladhari had pointed out that the petitioner was only a businessman and was not eligible to vote by post.

The petitioner cited the Election Commissioner, Nuwara Eliya Returning Officer, Presiding Officer of the Ragala Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya and the Attorney General as respondents.

U. Mapa with W. Premathilake appeared for the petitioner.

State Counsel S. Barrie appeared for the respondents.