UN chief urges government to ensure a peaceful election

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Sri Lankan government to ensure a peaceful election that is inclusive of minorities. Responding to a media query on the election violence in the run-up to the election Presidential election on January 08, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said the Secretary‑General's call to the Government to ensure that the elections are peaceful and that they're inclusive, including for minorities is much more important now on the backdrop of the election violence. "Obviously, we've seen the recent events in Sri Lanka, even those today, and I think it makes the Secretary General's call for reconciliation, political dialogue that much more important and also his call to the Government to ensure that the elections are peaceful and that they're inclusive, including for minorities," Dujarric said. The UN Chief last month has called on Sri Lanka's Minister of External Affairs Prof. GL Peiris and reaffirmed the UN's continuous support for reconciliation, political dialogue and accountability as the country heads towards the election on 8 January 2015. During the call, the Secretary-General has also noted the importance of inclusive participation of all Sri Lankan voters, including from minority communities, in the election process without any fear. However, the Sri Lankan government criticized the UN Chief for his call for the government to ensure "peaceful and credible conduct" at the Presidential election. "The UN Secretary General, who has not asked governments or leaders of many countries with questionable claim to democracy to conduct credible elections, is preaching to Sri Lanka, a vibrant democracy on how to conduct elections," the government said. The ruling party said since the end of the conflict in 2009, Sri Lanka has conducted several elections in all levels including Provincial Council elections for the North after a lapse of several decades in the most peaceful and credible manner and under the circumstances the UN Chief's statement is nothing but a blatant interference in the internal affairs of the country.   The excerpt from the daily press brieifing transcript  is as follows : Question: Over the holiday you announced, I think with a four or five‑day delay, that the Secretary‑General had called the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka about the upcoming election.  So, I wanted… one, I was just curious about the delay, but, two, more pressingly, since his call, there have been shots fired and rocks thrown at operation gatherings in the run-up to the election.  Has he done anything more since the call?  Does he think the call was heard?  What does he think about this? Spokesman:  Obviously, we've seen the recent events in Sri Lanka, even those today, and I think it makes the Secretary‑General's call for reconciliation, political dialogue that much more important and also his call to the Government to ensure that the elections are peaceful and that they're inclusive, including for minorities.  I'm sorry, then we'll go — you’ve got to be ready, Andre.