Significant drop in election violence - NPOC

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

A significant drop in election violence was observed during this election period compared to the previous years, National Polls Observation Centre's (NPOC) National Organizer Rasanga Harischandra said.

He was addressing a press briefing at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute yesterday.

The election campaign is peaceful with only 104 complaints against election law violation including 19 clashes and threats, 72 illegal propaganda and 13 cases of misuse of state property reported from certain electorates, such as, Ampara, Anuradhapura, Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa.

The largest number ( 26 cases) was reported from Ampara whilst the lowest from Batticaloa (7).

Measures have been taken by the Election Commissioner to hold the election in a peaceful manner. According to observations, they have been practical, he said.

All arrangement are in place to hold the election in a free and fair manner, NPOC Media Spokesman Saman Galappaththi said.

He said that the NPOC has taken measures to appoint over 400 observers and seven mobile vans to observe the Provincial Council election to be held on September 8. All the observers are professionals.

"We can see more public participation than before. The sad situation is that several political parties are conducting their campaigns oncommunal and religious lines.

We request all parties and independent groups to refrain from campaigns based on racism and sectarianism," Rasanga Harischandra said.

The NPOC said that postal voting commenced in these areas yesterday.

All activities in this connection were conducted in a smooth manner.

They requested secretaries of political parties to appoint Polling Agents to poling centres on time.