Saturday’s polls peaceful - Elections Chief
Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said Saturday’s North
Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Elections were conducted
peacefully except for some minor incidents.
Dissanayake in a release yesterday thanked voters who complied with
the legal requirement to prove their identity with a document at the
election.
“The Grama Niladharies, Superintendents of Estates and Principals of
Estate Schools shouldered the responsibility to issue temporary identity
cards. I am aware that a certain number of voters were not issued a
ballot paper for want of identity cards. To
Soon after nomination of candidates was over, publicity was given
through a notice published locally and through the media on July 8,
2008. The Secretaries of Political parties and Leaders of Independent
Groups were made aware of the requirement in writing. The issue was
discussed at length on July 14, 2008 with Secretaries of Political
Parties,” he said.
Dissanayake said, it is regretted that some civil organisations who
showed interest in the election process did not make any attempts in
this matter.
“This step will however, make the voters more aware of the
requirement and also help in implementing the law more effectively in
future.”
He also said decisions made with continuous consultation with
Secretaries of Political Parties contributed to successfully conclude
the election.
Dissanayake said: “I highly appreciate the services and co-operation
extended by District Returning Officers, their staff and officers and
other staff of the District Elections Offices and of the Elections
Secretariat in successful conduct of all the election related
activities. The co-operation and assistance given by State officers and
election professionals is praiseworthy.
The Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector-General of Police
(Election), the Deputy Inspector Generals of Police in charge of the
Districts and all other Police Officers also made their contribution
towards the effort from the time nominations commenced.
I also wish to thank Police Officers who manned the co-ordinating
officers at Divisional Secretariats in the four districts and the
Elections Secretariat from the day prior to the election and on the date
of poll and helped to find solutions to complaints and inquires.
I also wish to thank the Inspector-General of Police and Army
personnel who assisted him in maintaining law and order and helped in
protecting property of the State, public and candidates.
I also wish to thank the Government Printer and his officers for
identifying our needs from the time the notices of nomination were
published and completing all printing requirements on time, the Post
Master-General and his staff for completing on schedule the task of
delivery of poll cards and handling of postal votes packets and Sri
Lanka Telecom, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Ceylon Electricity
Board and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation for their services.
The Elections Observers deployed by the Observer Organisations
contributed towards the success of the poll.
“The services by the Director of Information and his staff in
transmitting the election results to the media are also appreciated.
I also wish to record with appreciation the co-operation extended by
media organisations and the media personnel who helped in dissemination
of information to the public.”
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