EC says not to politicise COVID-19 programs

 Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya has called on politicians and their supporters not to use the charitable activities they engage in during the ongoing coronavirus preventive programs to promote themselves politically.

“Among those who are engaged in assisting those affected by the new coronavirus, there are some politicians who are using this to promote themselves. In a situation where everyone has joined in to help fight COVID-19, trying to gain cheap political points is not acceptable,” the EC said in a news release yesterday. 

The notice comes after politicians have been seen distributing essential items and even visiting areas under lockdown. 

The Elections Commission Chairman had earlier called on politicians to suspend their focus on political campaigns as the Parliamentary Election would likely be in late May and a possible date to hold the polls would only be considered at the end of April.