Polls Chief restricts reporting on Presidential Commission reports after midnight, 7 Feb

Saturday, 3 February 2018 00:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The National Election Commission says that media should not report on the Parliamentary debate on the reports of the two Presidential commissions during the ‘silent period’ from midnight on 7 February.

Parliament is scheduled to debate the final reports of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Central Bank bond issue and the Commission to Investigate and Inquiry into Serious Acts of Fraud Corruption and Abuse of Power (PRECIFAC) on 6 February at 10.30am.

Chairman of the National Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said at a press conference yesterday that this decision was taken since statements favouring or prejudicing some political parties and candidates may be made during the debate.

The Chairman also said reporting on election campaigns will be allowed only on 8 February after the campaigning for the local government polls ends at midnight, 7 February. Deshapriya said that information on public rallies of contesting political parties and groups can be broadcast through electronic media channels only once on 8 February.

The 48-hour period before the local government elections on 10 February is declared a ‘silent period’ during which no election campaigning activities will be allowed.