Election law violations:

Stern action against police personnel - IGP warns

Sarath Malalasekera

The Police Department will take stern action against errant police personnel irrespective of their positions who violate Election Laws. The Police Department had taken action against several police personnel who had violated the Election Laws recently. If found guilty to the charges preferred against them, the police personnel will be removed from the Police Department, Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya told a media briefing at the Police Headquarters yesterday.

The recent Police transfers were done with the consultation of the Elections Commissioner, the IGP said.

The political meetings should not violate the Election Laws. If any party violates the Election Laws, they will be prosecuted, the IGP said.

The IGP said public assistance to eradicate election violence is very important. Public could contact the IGP or the area Senior Police personnel, including Police Spokesman Senior SP I. M. Karunaratne to convey any informations about violation of Election Laws in their areas.

Senior Police Spokesman, Senior DIG Nimal Mediwaka said the Western Province had made all arrangements to the Presidential Elections. The Western Province had received about 72 complaints about election violation in the district, but the complaints are not serious.

Not a single killing or shooting incident had been reported, the Senior DIG said.

All arrangements had been made to cast postal voting in the area. Not a single incident had been reported yesterday.

Crimes DIG Anura Senanayake gave a comprehensive report about the complaints made to the Police stations. Police had taken action against most complaints and reported them to the Magistrates Courts.