Ruling party blatantly violates the law – NEM-IHR
The Network for Election Monitoring of the Intellectuals for Human Rights (NEM-IHR) issuing a media release with the signature of the Chief Executive of NEM-IHR Dr. Uditha Gunasekera states 440 incidents of election related violence and violations have been received with regard to the Uva PC election from the day nominations were accepted until today (14th) morning.
The summery of the incidents:
Incidents of illegal propaganda 164
Incidents of election violence 69
Illegal use of state resources 61
Using state power 57
Undue influence on public opinion 43
Incidents of police partiality 06
Obstruction of legal propaganda 38
Other 02
Total 440
Accordingly, 69 complaints of incidents of violence related to Uva PC election have been received while other complaints received were 371. Out of these complaints 258have been received from Monaragala while the number of complaints received from Badulla District is 182.
Despite election officials saying police security has been tightened in Monaragala District and an environment for a free and fair election has been created, the complaints received by the NEM –IHR indicate that violence related to the election continues unabated. During the past 24 hours 05 JVP election offices have been attacked and destroyed according to reports reached.
A complaint has been received that the JVP election office at the residence of Mr. Indu of Bahirawa close to Somadevi polling station in Sevanagala Police Division was attacked today (14.09.2014) morning. Also, complaints have been received that a JVP office at Habarluwewa, Mayuragama in Sevanagala was attacked on 13.09.2014 night and a propaganda office at the residence of JVP supporter Mr. E.K. Wimalasiri at Bodagama, the election propaganda office of JVP candidate K.M. Dharmadasa at Wijepura, Sooriyara in Thanamalwsila, the propaganda office at the residence of JVP candidate Nandasena Wijenayaka at Bodagama, Thanamalwila were attacked and destroyed early morning today (13.09.2014).
Also, a complaint has been received that a UNP supporter was assaulted and his three wheeler was damaged at Hali-ela Police Division in Badulla District.
This indicates attacks on party offices has been intensified as the election day is getting closer and its impact on the holding of a free and fair election is perilous. If the police is unable to check this state the voter would be terrorized.
A complaint has been received that the legal election office of Democratic Party candidate Sarath Chaminda at Nawadahaya Junction, Athimale in Monaragala has been removed by the police.
A complaint has also been received that UPFA candidate Sasheendra Rajapaksa’s supporters distributed dry rations including rice, potatoes, onion, dhal, salmon, sugar, milk powder, soap and toothpaste in parcels that had Sasheendra Rajapaksa’s preference number and party symbol printed in them to houses from 7th mile post to 13th mile post at Sevanagala in Monaragala yesterday (13th).
Also, a complaint has been received that 2 vehicles belonging to National Gem & Jewellery Authority and 5 of its officials were deployed in UPFA candidate Sasheendra Rajapaksa’s campaign. The complaint further states vehicles bearing numbers WPPB 8795 and WPPB 9739 are being used in the campaign from 12.09.2014. NEM-IHR has made the Commissioner of Elections aware of this complaint.
A complaint has been received that 36 Army personnel have been deployed in UPFA candidate Maj. Denipitiya’s election campaign from 11.09.2014.
Complaints received daily indicate that state resources and state power is used without any control in ruling party election campaign.
