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Candidates’ lists near completion as UPC nomination day draws close
With nominations for the Uva Provincial Council elections due to close on Wednesday, political parties and independent groups were finalising their candidates’ list amidst the formation of new alliances and some parties going it alone.
Party secretariats have been instructed by Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya to obey election laws and not to pollute the environment or damage public property, Deputy Elections Commissioner M.M. Mohamed said.
Posters come down in Badulla. Pic by Palitha Ariyawansa
He said those who do not posses National Identity Cards (NIC) have been told to apply for temporary identity cards before September 19.
Moneragala Government Agent A. Pathinathan said an election coordinating office has been operating since nominations started this week.
“There are 34 Advanced Level exam centres, of which two are located in the main town near the district secretariats office. We have requested political parties not to hold any processions or rallies on the final day of nominations,” he said.
Mr. Pathinathan said so far no major parties have filed their nomination papers, but five independent groups have placed their deposits.
National Freedom Front (NFF) spokesman Mohamed Muzzammil said they have finalised their list of candidates and will file their nomination papers next Wednesday.
“In Moneragala, former member Udaya Shantha Gunasekara will lead, while in the Badulla District lawyer Shaminda Mahanama will be the main candidate,” he said.
People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) director, Rohana Hettiarachchi, said that parties should give priority to candidates from the respective districts, in order to ensure a smooth functioning of the council.
Mr. Hettiarachi said that, in 2012, between January and June, though 14 meetings were scheduled, only 10 were held.
“We will officially start our monitoring process with the nominations. In our initial observations, we have noticed that, in both districts, major political parties have started their campaign activities, even before the council was dissolved,” he said.
He alleged that major parties are engaged in buying votes by distributing goods and household items. He said, he had informed the Elections Commissioner, who promised to take action.
Campaign for Free & Fair Election (CaFFE) Director Keerthi Tennakoon said his main concern is the last day of nominations. “In Badulla there are more than 12 exam centres. We have requested parties not to have vehicle parades or rallies during the daytime,” he said.
Ceylon Workers’ Congress president Muthu Sivalingam said they have requested the UPFA to allow three candidates from their party to contest in the Badulla District.
Democratic Peoples’ Front President Mano Ganeshan said they will be supporting the Opposition.
“We don’t want to split the minority votes. There are a significant number of candidates from the ruling party and the Opposition representing the minorities. That’s why we have decided not to contest on our own, but to support the Opposition,” he said.
Mr. Ganeshan added that they have had long-term friendships with the UNP, the JVP and other parties. We are determined to support a candidate representing minorities to make sure of our representation.
“Former Provincial Councilor S. Aravindakumar will contest on behalf of our party under the UPFA banner with six other Tamil candidates,” said Upcountry People’s Front (UPF) Leader V. Radhakrishnan.