News
Polls watchdogs prevent subtle ways to influence voters
View(s):By Ishu Bandara
The Election Commission (EC) and the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) separately intervened, aiming to prevent two specific types of elections rules violations. Their efforts played a vital role in safeguarding the integrity of the local government election and shielding voters from undue influence.
Pasting of campaign posters and other propaganda material is still a concern. Pix by Akila Jayawardene
Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake told the Sunday Times that, under the government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme, they asked permission to place Clean Sri Lanka flags on poles in Kandy during the Sacred Tooth Relic exposition, but it was refused.
“The ruling party asked permission to place Clean Sri Lanka flags on poles along the streets, around the roundabouts where the perahera takes place, and in the town and station areas. However, we refused their request and sent a letter to the government stating that while they can carry out work under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, placing Clean Sri Lanka flags on poles is not allowed,” said Mr Rathnayake.
He said that the government had arranged a large number of flags and poles for event. However, the EC halted that activity, stating that the flags can be used on any other day after the election period.
In a similar, separate incident, Professor Arjuna Parakrama, Chief Operating Officer of CMEV, raised concerns about another violation of the Election Law by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the ongoing election campaign. Despite not receiving a response to their first letter, CMEV submitted a second complaint on April 18, 2025, and received an acknowledgment from the Election Commission the very next day, on April 19.
CMEV raised concerns over President Dissanayake’s remarks at several rallies across the country, where he stated that if NPP representatives were not elected to the respective local government bodies, the financial needs of those areas would be delayed or not fulfilled. CMEV regarded this as a serious and clear violation of Sections 82C (Undue Influence) and 82D (Bribery) of the revised Local Authorities Election Ordinance.
Prof Parakrama confirmed to the Sunday Times that an acknowledgment letter was received from the Election Commission, signed by the Additional Commissioner of Elections (Legal), B.P.C. Kularatne, under the subject ‘Complaint against the Violation of Election Law by the Executive President during the Local Government Authorities Election Campaigns 2025′, dated April 19.
“In that letter, the EC said they had considered the matter we raised and had sent a letter on April 19, 2025, to the Secretary to the President, requesting the Secretary to inform His Excellency the President that statements of this nature could cause prejudice to other parties, groups, and candidates contesting the Local Authorities Election 2025,” Prof Parakrama told the Sunday Times.
Both Prof Parakrama and Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake confirmed that the President stopped making such statements after the matter was brought to his attention through his Secretary.
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