Polls monitoring unit at Elections Secretariat

Rasika Somarathna

A National Coordinating Centre to monitor the conduct of the forthcoming polls for Eastern, North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils will be established at the Elections Secretariat next week. Deputy Commissioner, Elections M M Mohamed said political party representatives, elections monitors, police and other stake -holders will work together at the centre under the guidance of his Department.

The centre will receive complaints on elections law violations and work towards solving the issues, he said.

According to Mohamed, a special communications line will be established for the public to direct complaints.

Meanwhile, at a meeting with political party representatives, election monitors and Police during the weekend, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya urged contesting parties to comply with election laws.

“Those who do not abide by the rules will be revealed to the public,” he warned them, according to Mohamed.

Deshapriya also urged political parties to refrain from conducting processions or behaving in an unruly manner after filling nominations.

He also asked Police to prevent such occurrences.

The Commissioner also told political parties to refrain from campaigning or using speakers for propaganda near schools where the Advanced Level and Year 5 Scholarship exams will be held during August, according to Mohamed.