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Candidates openly distribute gifts to constituents as election law violations increase
Exercise books, cement bags, bicycles, application forms for loans are being distributed by candidates contesting for the Southern (SPC) and Western Provincial Councils (WPC) as more complaints flowed in of election law violations, officials said. Some candidates were openly distributing items while campaigning, while others discreetly passed on goods, with less than three weeks left for the elections.
Getting ready for postal voting: Postal Dept officials at the Kalutara Secretariat. Pic by Sunil Tantiriarachchi
“We are receiving complaints about distributing goods, and in turn, have taken it up with the Elections Commissioner,” Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) Director, Keerthi Tennakoon told the Sunday Times. He said that, in addition, they had received a series of complaints of misuse of State property and resources including vehicles, buildings and equipment. Of some 500 complaints received by the organisation, 39 per cent have been on the misuse of State property.
He said that some public sector officials including teachers, were openly participating in election campaigns, mainly those of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). He said 26 complaints of election related violence has also been reported, adding that, in the next few weeks, they believe that the figure would increase. Meanwhile, People’s Action for Fair and Free Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told the Sunday Times that most of the allegations have been against the UPFA.
“There is no doubt that the ruling party was behind many of the violations. Thirty one per cent of all complaints were against the ruling party.” He said illegal propaganda was carried out mainly by the ruling party. “Government officers, government buildings, government development programmes are being made use of. Especially the local government authorities are using officers, vehicles and labourers in various forms of propaganda work to aid the ruling party.”
Meanwhile, at this week’s meeting between the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya and political party representatives, the possibility of allowing more political party representatives during the counting of the preferential votes, was discussed.
Posters and more posters: Western Province. Pix by Indika Handuwala