10 violations reported during post-election period: PAFFREL

• 8 of 10 incidents confirmed
• Includes 6 acts of violence
• 2 incidents of assault reported from Pannala and Kelaniya
• PAFFREL requests winning candidates to celebrate peacefully

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has reported 10 incidents of election regulations being violated since voting for the Parliamentary Elections concluded at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to PAFFREL, eight of the 10 incidents are confirmed reports and include five confirmed acts of violence and one unconfirmed act of violence. The report on violations during the post-election period show three assaults, two reports of grievous assault, and one incident of intimidation and threats.

PAFFREL also reports one incident of unlawful meetings and processions being carried out and three unspecified incidents. The report looks at the period from 5 p.m. on 5 August to 4 p.m. on 6 August.

Addressing the press yesterday, PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchie stated that the two incidents of assault were reported from Kelaniya and Pannala and persons connected to both incidents have been hospitalised.

He added that one observer per electorate has been stationed at counting centres and 25 officers have been stationed at select centres where results are announced.

“We believe that there will be no problems with the counting process because there have not been any major issues during the counting process at previous elections,” Hettiarachchie said, adding that PAFFREL believed the Parliamentary Elections can conclude in a peaceful manner.

He explained that during previous elections, post-election violations took place during celebrations after election results were released, but that there was a delay in counting votes and releasing results during the Parliamentary Elections 2020.

However, Hettiarachchie mentioned one incident that occurred at a counting centre in the Trincomalee District, where a candidate was removed from the centre when he tried to forcefully enter the premises.

Hettiarachchie went on to request that winning parties celebrate in a peaceful manner and avoid having crowds gather, especially in the next two weeks.