Fonseka files election petition

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

Opposition Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka yesterday filed an Election Petition in the Supreme Court seeking a determination that he be dully returned as the President of the country.

The petitioner among the other matters stated that election held on January 26 was not free and fair and marred with corrupt practices, general intimidation, thereby majority of the voters were prevented from casting their votes in favour of the petitioner and that the final result could have been affected.

The petitioner cited all Presidential candidates, the Elections Commissioner, two attorneys Kalinga Indatissa and Razik Zarook, SLBC Chairman Hudson Samarasinghe and Wimal Weerawansa as respondents.

The petitioner also stated that the State media in violation of the election laws broadcast biased programs which adversely affected the final result that prevented him from being elected. He complained that two respondent attorneys and Presidential candidate Sarath Kongahage, Hudson Samarasinghe and Wimal Weerawansa made false statements that the petitioner was not qualified to be elected as the President. The petitioner also sought a court declaration that the election of the first respondent Mahinda Rajapaksa was void and his return was undue.

He also sought an order for scrutiny of all the ballots cast, by the Elections Commissioner in the presence of all the respondent candidates or their agents.