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Swift action and prosecution of election law violators
View(s):The Elections Department is seeking the advice of the Attorney General on how to expedite the prosecution of those violating election laws during the ongoing campaign for the general elections, Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday.
The Commissioner who has been given new powers under the 19th Amendment will request the Attorney General to assign a separate team of officials to assist the police in the investigations and file action promptly against alleged offenders
“I have also requested the Inspector General of Police to assign special teams to investigate allegations of election-related crimes and file action as soon as possible. This will prevent persons from obtaining bail pending the investigations,” Mr. Deshapriya told the Sunday Times.
He said the objective was to prevent delays in taking action against those allegedly involved in election-related offences.
“We have observed that in previous instances due to the delays in investigations there could be injustice to some party,” he said.
Deputy Elections Commissioner M. Mohamed said expediting the investigations would serve as a deterrent for those involved in election-related offences.
‘We expect that supporters of candidates will also refrain from violence or violations of laws in view of the speedy action we hoped to take,” he said. Deputy Inspector General Gamini Nawaratna, the officer in charge of elections, said the Elections Commissioner had warned him that in view of the intensive campaign, incidents of violence and violations of laws were likely to rise.
“We are taking new steps to expedite investigations. This will include collecting of video evidence from phones and CCTV cameras so that pictures could be used as evidence,” DIG Nawaratna said. He said the police hoped strong action would serve as a deterrent for candidates or supporters who promote or indulge in violence or violations of laws.
“For the first time, we are trying to expedite cases and prosecute offenders under new powers given to the Elections Commissioner through the 19th Amendment,” he said.