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Polls monitors allege blatant abuse of state resources by UPFA
Election monitoring groups say there has been an increase in the misuse of public assets as well as the use of government employees for election related work over the past week.
Chilaw: Official verhicles being used for the campaign. Pic by Augustin Fernando
Abuse of State resources has become a common feature in the regional election propaganda campaigns with supporters of the ruling Party candidate violating more laws than the other candidates.
People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said that the abuse of State resources has been due to the breakdown of law and order in the country and the unprofessional conduct of government officials.
He said grassroots level officials are involved in the ruling party’s election campaign by inducing voters with gifts and implementing new welfare schemes.He said that PAFFREL received a complaint that 1.4 million Samurdhi beneficiary families will be given Rs 10,000 each by the Authority, of which Rs 2,500 will be given before the presidential election and Rs 7, 500 afterwards.
PAFFREL reported another incident where motorcycles for police officers in the Trincomalee area and other areas around the country were to be distributed on December 14, and requested it suspended till the end of the
SLTB buses being used for meetings in Gampaha
Presidential election, because it is a violation of election law.
Furthermore, 210 teaching appointments for Grade 3 have been given by the Education Ministry on December 15, at the Ministry premises, according to PAFFREL sources.
According to PAFFREL sources, more than 300 Road Development Authority employees were used to paste posters of the UPFA candidate.
Another allegation was that the National Youth Services Council and a private communications company have initiated a nationwide campaign to provide mobile connections to pensioners. However, PAFFREL has advised them not to initiate the programme.
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon said that government politicians and top officials have disregarded the advice of the Elections Commissioner and election monitoring groups.
SLTB buses being used for meetings in Matara
According to CaFFE reports, 142 incidents have been reported on the misuse of public property, using State employees for electioneering, appointments and transfers during the election period.
Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) sources revealed that a handbill promoting the UPFA presidential candidate has been prepared to be posted to services personnel nationwide. Government schools in Kirulapone, Polonnaruwa, Eheliyagoda and Nuwara Eliya were used by UPFA supporters to organise meetings, TISL said.