We cannot answer baseless allegations - Galle District Secretary

Mahinda P. Liyanage, Galle Central Special Corr.

Misconceptions and baseless allegations over the electoral procedures and systems would result in the breach of confidence among civil society of the entire democratic process.

As responsible government officials we are not concerned with matters such as the person who obtains the highest aggregate of preferential votes or the person who would emerge as the Chief Minister, said Galle District Returning Officer and District Secretary Asoka Jayasekara.

The District Secretary made the above observations at a press conference convened by him at the Galle District Secretariat Auditorium yesterday. The District Secretary further said, "We conducted the recently concluded Southern Provincial Council election properly according to the election law. If anyone is doubtful over the counting of preferential votes there are legal provisions for him or her to seek redress through the judiciary. We cannot answer or be held responsible for baseless allegations and adverse remarks made by certain persons through various media".

The Assistant Election Commissioner of Galle Bimal Indrajith in response to an allegation made against him said that the issue of the final result of the Galle district preferential vote could not be released to the media due to certain rules and regulations under the election law. However, he regretted over any inconvenience caused to the journalists in that respect.

A large number of media persons representing various print and electronic media participated in the conference. The Divisional Secretaries of the Galle District in association with Galle District Planning Directress Puspa Malalasekara also participated.