Election law violators will be punished - IGP

Sarath Malalasekera

Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya yesterday said that he had given strict instructions to all police personnel to take stern action against those who violate Election Laws, whoever they may be. The IGP addressing the media yesterday at the Police Headquarters said that police will take steps to avoid any serious situation in the country during the general elections. The Police will not allow any party to set-up any unauthorised political offices. Any one who attempts to create problems will be taken to court, the IGP added.

The IGP said that any police officer or officers who failed to implement the Election laws will be dealt with severely.

The Police Department had to provide protection to 7620 candidates in the fray. The Police have deployed over 850 persons to remove posters and cut-outs. For this purpose over Rs.22 million had be spent.

Senior DIG N.K. Ilangakoon said that about 86 complaints had been made to the police in connection with election violations. Twenty of them are not very serious, 17 of them are minor assaults. No serious incidents had been reported to the police upto yesterday evening.

Head of the Election Secretariat, Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne, said election laws will be in operation before and after the general elections. Any person who violates election laws will be prosecuted.

The Police have taken all steps to assist the Postal Department while they distribute polling cards, Senior DIG Navaratne said.

The IGP Earlier directed Senior DIGs and DIGs of the nine provinces to advise their respective Officers in Charge of the Police Stations to remove all cut-outs and hoardings with immediate effect.

The IGP also said that Senior Police officers should educate their staff about the existing election and traffic laws which should be applied when they are deployed during the elections.

The IGP emphasised that Police personnel on election duty should be well versed with their responsibilities during the pre-election period, election day and post election period. All candidates and the public who are involved in election campaigning should be treated in an equal manner.

The Police will also provide security to Postal employees during the distribution of polling cards.

One Police Sergeant and five Police constables attached to the Vavuniya Police Division have been interdicted by the IGP for violation of election laws during the last few weeks.

DIG Sisira Mendis, DIG Anura Senanayake, DIG Daya Samaraweera and several other Senior and Junior officers also participated at the media conference.