Untitled Document

Mirror Magazine

Animal Farm election news
Human Party condemns Ham-throwing Pig
May 14th, Colombo - The Human Party, in a press release issued yesterday strongly condemned the ham-throwing incident, which occurred at the pre-election press conference. Farmer Jones, the leader of the Human Party said, "This is the kind of thuggery and intimidation which the Animals will resort to." Mr. Shazaan Rali, campaign manager for Farmer Jones called on the police to launch an impartial investigation and take the perpetrators into custody. Speaking further Mr Rali added, "We have written to all concerned authorities and will not rest till justice has been done." He also condemned the appalling security arrangements, which allowed the Animal Party to smuggle weapons into the press conference. Zaiquath Nizar, Spokesman for the Animal Farm police force, when contacted confirmed that a case had been lodged alleging that Mr. Squealer from the Animal Party had smuggled 3 hams into the pre-election press conference and subsequently had attacked a member of the human party using the aforementioned weapons. "Investigations are underway" he added.

Violence on the increase - 324 incidents reported
May 7th, Colombo - Election related violence saw an upsurge in the past weeks with representatives from both parties lodging claims of intimidation and harassment. The most serious case involved the alleged kidnapping and subsequent killing of 6 foals. Clover, a motherly mare alleged that the Human Party had stolen her children and demanded that a proper investigation be launched. Ms. Marissa Jansz, attorney for Clover (the motherly mare) said that this was a clear case of intimidation and that several international bodies had also condemned this vicious act. Meanwhile, International Polls Observer Mohamed Adamally confirmed that many incidents of intimidation had been reported and called upon Farmer Jones to extend his fullest co-operation to stop the violence. Last Monday 5 pigs and 2 horses were taken to the slaughter-house in an apparent bid by the Human Party to reduce the number of supporters of the opposition. Elections Commissioner Feroze appealed to both parties to uphold the highest democratic principles and refrain from participating in any violent activity.

"The music is an eye-wash" - The Human Party
May 4th, Colombo - The Animal Party's tactic of playing music at their campaign meetings has met with strong criticism from the Human Party. "The Animals know very well that we can't sing, so it is very unfair that they play music at their campaign meetings. There are a lot of people who go there just to hear the music and if they don't stop this abominable practice at once they will have to face the music pretty soon," said Mr. Shazaan Rali, campaign manager for Farmer Jones. Explaining the significance of the campaign music, Mr. Krishan Jayaratnam (a close associate of Mr. Napoleon of the Animal Party) said, "The music is a vehicle for the animals to preach their message. We are fortunate that most of us animals not only love music but can sing very well. In fact on election day we all plan to join the official election bands Kreb's Cycle and the Kreators and keep all the voters happy".

It is rumoured that well-known Tabla artiste Mr. Ranjana Amaradeva has aligned himself closely with the Animal Party's music propaganda team.

Stage set for smooth elections - Elections Secretariat
May 15th, Colombo -The official Animal Farm elections office, Stagelight & Magic Inc., says all mechanisms are in place for smooth polls to be conducted from July 04th -08th 2002 at the Lionel Wendt Polling Centre. Speaking to reporters last evening, Elections Commissioner Feroze Kamardeen was optimistic that the polls would be free and fair and that voter turnout would be very high.

"Several organizations have come forward to fund the polls, while leading musicians in the country have agreed to provide entertainment," Feroze said. The Commissioner confirmed that leading rock band Kreb's Cycle and oriental maestros Kreators have signed on as official music makers for the polls, while it is rumoured that Tabla artiste Ranjana Amaradeva and pianist Neomal De Alwis will also be lending their talent.

Reports indicate that Sinwa shoes have donated shiny pairs of shoes for the candidates to woo their voters in, while Dialog GSM, the premier mobile communication company donated new mobiles to all the candidates for their campaign work. Some election candidates were seen near the National Lotteries Board buying lottery tickets in an attempt to beef up their campaign funds while others were seen canvassing support at a leading Cinema in the city. Asked if any arrangements had been made to provide clothing for the candidates, Commissioner Feroze replied that dress designer Sonali White of the Haddai Label would design brand-spanking new outfits for all candidates. He added that the country's leading radio station YES FM is the official electronic media sponsor and that YES FM would grant equal amounts of air-time for candidate propaganda without discrimination. "The official newspaper for the Animal Farm elections is The Sunday Times," he added. Meanwhile, Deputy Elections Commissioner Jehan Bastians said ballot papers would be made available to the public at the Lionel Wendt polling booth only in June 2002. He said the SLM elections office regretted that the ballot papers could not be released earlier, but emphasized that all measures had to be taken to prevent any form of election malpractice. Bastians also called for all nominations to be filed at slm_animal_farm@hotmail.com, and said nominations from all public factions whether man or beast will be considered for candidature.

The Animal Farm elections look set to be a keenly contested battle for dominance. The leading contenders to date are Farmer Jones of the ruling Human Party, and Pigs, Snowball, Napoleon and Squealer of the opposition, Animal Party.

Originally owned by Mr. George Orwell, Animal Farm has been ruled by Farmer Jones for many years. Over the years Farmer Jones has been growing increasingly dictatorial and as a result, the Animal Party led by Old Major (a respected stud boar) has been clamouring for democracy subsequent to which the SLM Elections office has decided to conduct this election.

Animal Farm, A Play by George Orwell. Presented by StageLight&Magic Inc. Directed by Feroze Kamardeen
4-8th of July 2002, Lionel Wendt Theatre

Back to Mirror Magazine