Less violence compared to past polls - Commissioner

Disna Mudalige

The Elections Secretariat has received 204 complaints on election violation laws and violent incidents as at Tuesday evening, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said. Addressing a press conference at the Elections Secretariat yesterday, the Commissioner said there is a reduction of pre-election violence compared to previous elections.

He noted the majority of the complaints was related to incidents of election laws violations. He said among the 204 complaints, 167 incidents were related to the violation of election laws.

Deshapriya said 27 incidents were related to election violence, while 10 incidents were reported under mixed category. In district wise, the majority of complaints have been lodged in Anuradhapura district and this figure as at Tuesday evening was 53.

The least number of complaints was from the Polonnaruwa district and this number amounted to 7. Fourteen complaints from Trincomalee, 25 from Ratnapura, 31 from Kegalle, 33 from Batticaloa and 35 from Ampara have also been reported to the Secretariat. He noted six complaints were common complaints to every district in which the Provincial Council elections to be held. He requested to inform the Secretariat as soon as a complaint on violation of election laws or election violence was reported, so that he can take prompt action to prevent such incidents. He said he would send an official immediately to the spot when such a complaint is received.

The Elections Commissioner said the support of General Secretaries of all political parties has been profoundly received to prevent breaching of election laws and regulations, adding that as observed the support on the part of regional political leaders lacks in certain areas.

Deshapriya also said the Secretariat is more keen on prevention of election violence and violation of election laws rather than punishment. He said a special team comprising 11 officials has been sent to Anuradhapura to report the situation in the area. He said the situation in Anuradhapura is under control.

He said eventhough the postal vote is scheduled on August 27 and 28, a decision on allowing postal voters to caste their vote until September 8, would be considered at a meeting with the General Secretaries of political parties scheduled to be held yesterday evening.