No military involvement in election related activities: Election Commission

Chairman of Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya today told reporters in Jaffna that military personnel will not be involved in election related activities and it would be the police personnel who will be deployed for election duties across the country.

He also indicated that the assistance from military personnel is only required for transporting ballot boxes to the Northern islands with the support of the Navy and Air Force.

During a meeting of candidates held last Monday at the Jaffna District Secretariat under the chairmanship of the District Secretary who also functions as Returning Officer (RO), various candidates lodged complaints of being under constant surveillance by military personnel and of facing intimidation at pocket meetings in their electorates.

The concerned candidates claimed their vehicles were checked repeatedly for leaflets and propaganda materials at newly-set-up roadblocks. Officials assured them their complaints would be forwarded to the Election Commission.

Mr Deshapriya who visited the Northern province this week to monitor election preparations further noted that a significant number of complaints over election violations are recorded in North compared to other provinces and assured the Commission has taken strict measures to stop such activities immediately.

He said, among the complaints lodged from North consist of some candidates reopening government initiatives as their own projects in order to gain votes and public display of party symbols and preferential numbers on streets.    (Pix by N.Lohathayalan)