Eastern Elections: State property misuse prohibited

COLOMBO: Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake has prohibited the use of State property for propaganda work during the forthcoming Eastern Provincial Council elections.

He has also ruled that promotions, transfers, recruitment and interviews for selection of persons for appointments in the State and corporation sector should not be affected from the date of issue of the nominations notice for Eastern elections to the date on which the election results are announced.

The Elections Commissioner in a media release said under Article 104B (4) (a) of the 17th amendment to the Constitution the use of movable or unmovable property belonging to the State or Statutory Corporations for promotion or prevention of the election of any candidate, political party or independent group at any election is prohibited.

State property includes vehicles, aircraft ship, boats, lands and buildings. The prohibition is applicable during the 'period of an election' which is from the date of issue of the nominations notice, March 13, to the date on which the result of the election is announced.

The release added: "The Commissioner of Elections has decided to enforce the prohibition with immediate effect with regard to the forthcoming election of members to the Eastern Province Provincial Council. Promotions, transfers, recruitment, interviews for selections of persons for appointments in the State sector and in corporations should also not be affected during this period.

Mobile services, exhibitions, ceremonies, etc. at State expenses scheduled for the period coincides with the elections should also be postponed.

Ministry Secretaries have been explained these in writing. They have also been requested to convey instructions to Heads of Departments and State Corporations. Heads of Institutions in the Northern and Eastern Province Provincial Councils have also been briefed of these requirements."