All parties should work towards free and fair polls - PAFFREL
Irangika RANGE
| “Our major objective is to obtain reports
from our observers regarding serious violations in polling
booths and submit the report to the Elections Commissioner
before 8.00 p.m. |
All political parties and individual candidates contesting the
forthcoming North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council elections
should work towards a free and fair election by respecting election
laws, PAFFREL Chairman Kingsley Rodrigo said.
Launching the second interim report of the pre-election period of
both the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Elections,
the Chairman said humble efforts and unity of both the Government and
Opposition parties are essential to eliminate election violations in the
upcoming elections.
He said the Police, political parties, Election Commissioner and
voters have to commit themselves to protect law and order.
Voters have a responsibility to make use of their franchise by going
to the polling centres early ignoring inconveniences if any. Valid
identification cards are essential for voters to prove their identity to
stop illegal voting.
He said Police officials are committed to safeguard law and order in
the country. “But they are helpless, if politicians and their henchmen
take the law into their hands.”
District Coordinator of PAFFREL, Thusitha Aluthpatabendige said the
PAFFREL will deploy 2,460 observers for this election.
Comprehensive training sessions were held at electoral level covering
election laws, issues pertaining to elections, ethical issues,
experiences on previous elections and methodology of elections in the
four districts of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura and Kegalle.
Sixty mobile observation vehicles would be deployed by the PAFFREL on
the election day with special attention on areas more susceptible for
election violence. During observation activities, more mobile
observation units will be deployed in areas such as Kalawewa in
Anuradhapura, Egodapattuwa in Polonnaruwa, Nivithigala in Ratnapura and
Rambukkana in Kegalle. “Our major objective is to obtain reports from
our observers regarding serious violations in polling booths and submit
the report to the Elections Commissioner before 8.00 p.m.
Deputy Executive Director of PAFFREL, Rohana Hettiarachchi said there
are 1,698 candidates representing 16 political parties and 20
independent groups contesting the upcoming election. Around 2.1 million
voters will be able to cast their votes at 1,772 polling centres in both
provinces.
The women’s representation is very low and is only eight per cent in
both provinces.
He said around 128 complaints have been received by PAFFREL with
regard to election violence since nominations.
It is comparatively high compared to reported violence during the
General Election 2004, he said.
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