Elections will be free and fair - Minister

Hiran SENEWIRATNE in Vavuniya

Transport Minister Dullas Allahapperuma said the Government has created the necessary environment to conduct a free and fair election to elect representatives to the Vavuniya Urban Council.

“Even election observers have confirmed that the election campaign is being conducted in a peaceful manner. Except for one incident there has been no clashes among contending parties,” the Minister told a media briefing held in Vavuniya yesterday. Minister Allahapperuma denied allegations by the Opposition that the Government was using state power to conduct its election campaign and that violence is rampant in Vavuniya.

The election campaign in Vavuniya is being conducted in a very peaceful manner, he said.

He said several Tamil political parties such as TELO, PLOTE, EPRLF and EPDP have decided to contest the election from UPFA under the betel symbol. “We are fully confident of our victory at the upcoming polls. After 1994, no Urban Council election had been conducted in Vavuniya. The UC functioned under a Secretary since 1999.

“Eleven members are to be elected to the UC. A total of 134 candidates from six political parties and six independent groups are contesting the election.

Eighteen polling centres will be set up in Vavuniya to enable the voters to cast their ballot”.

Of the 15 SLMC candidates contesting to the UC polls, four have voluntarily extended their support to the Government”, he said.

“At present a lot of development activities are taking place in Vavuniya district under the purview of the Government.

The Government has taken action to develop the road network, transport system and hospitals in Vavuniya district”, the Minister said.

The intention of the Government is to develop both the Vavuniya UC and entire Vavuniya district to its position in the past as soon as possible”, he said.

Arrangements have been made to re-settle all IPDs in Vavuniya by the end of August this year, the Minister said.