Sharp drop in poll incidents

Chaminda PERERA

The People's Action for Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL) yesterday said election violence in the North Western and Central Provinces have seen a drastic decline compared to the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provincial election last year.

The PAFFREL is one of two organisations approved by the Elections Commissioner to monitor the upcoming North Western and Central Provincial election which is scheduled to be held on February 14.

Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, PAFFREL Deputy Executive Director Rohana Hettiarchchi said his organisation is fully satisfied with the prevailing situation in these two provinces. "Election related violence can be further minimised, if this trend continues.The publicity campaign launched by the candidates in these two provinces is sluggish and attract less public response," he said.

Hettiarachchi said no cases of intimidation or violence were reported in connection with the postal voting which started on February 02. He said over 66,000 postal voters out of 80,875 were qualified for the postal voting and 80 per cent of them cast their votes.

"Several key State organisations such as CTB bus depots, Army camps and Divisional Secretariats with high vote turnout were subjected to our monitoring and voting process continued very peacefully without any incident," he said.

According to Hettiarachchi, no cases of abductions, shootings, attacks on rallies, snatching of poll cards or ballot papers has been reported in these two provinces. "It is observed that there is a reduction of incidents of election violence that had taken place up to now when compared to previous Sabaragamuwa and NCP election.

During the Sabaragamuwa and NCP election, 128 incidents were reported during the pre-election period and out of which 36 were assaults and 40 were damages to the political offices.

But in the comparative period in this election a total number of 44 incidents were reported and out of that there were only 15 cases of assaults and 15 cases of damages to the political offices or properties, he said.

"Cases related to misuse of Government properties and authority have drastically come down. Only two cases of misuse of Government properties have been reported to the authorities yet, he said.