EC issues deadline to remove cut-outs, posters and asset declaration

• 31 January deadline for removal of posters and cut-outs 
• 20 January deadline to declare assets

By Skandha Gunasekara

Giving into a public outcry, the Elections Commission (EC) yesterday called on all political parties to remove all election related cut-outs and posters from candidates’ offices by 31 January. 

Addressing a press briefing at the Election Secretariat yesterday, Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said that although candidates have been allowed to put up cut-outs and posters at the election offices, legally such material could only be displayed at rallies.

“Displaying cut-outs and posters at candidates’ offices is not a right but a privilege that has been awarded. By law, cut-outs and posters can only be displayed at rallies,” he said adding that concerned citizens had complained to the Elections Commission regarding the illegality of displaying cut-out outside of political rallies. 

He revealed that a particular political party had put up a 20 foot tall cut-out in a town in the south of the country of a former party chairman. 

“There are some who want to be worshipped like deities so they display larger than life cut-outs. All we can do is the same we do to other religious artefacts: place them in secure police custody.”

The EC chairman also warned that even the distribution of calendars would be considered a bribe. 

“Only leaflets with party policies and manifesto details can be distributed among the masses and nothing else. Displaying posters must be limited to election rallies,” Deshapriya asserted. 

He then urged the masses to remove all posters unlawfully pasted on their private properties by 5 February. 

Furthermore, Deshapriya said that only one party had thus far declared their assets and liabilities and ordered candidates to divulge the information by 20 January. 

“All political parties except for one have failed to declare their assets so far. If by 20 January candidates have not declared their assets, we will remove all propaganda material from their election offices,” he remarked.  

 Additionally, the EC chairman revealed that several incidents were reported in the North, East and South where religious places were used to formulate and distribute party manifestos, noting that religion and elections must be kept separate.

“No one can campaign on the grounds of religion. Neither can anyone use a religions place to bless supporters. In such a situation, both the incumbent of the religious site and the candidate will have their democratic rights suspended. Religion and politics are like white clouds and coriander; they have nothing to do with each other,” he said.