Empower Polls Chief

Tuesday, 24 September 2013 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SAARC monitors express dismay at Army involvement in polls violence
Observer Mission hails Commissioner’s efforts to get voters to the polls, ensure ballot secrecy
Turnout showed enthusiasm about democratic process: Head of SAARC mission
Observers slam publication of fake Uthayan newspaper, promotion of fake by broadcaster

By Dharisha Bastians Outgoing SAARC observers of the northern provincial elections yesterday expressed dismay at the role of the armed forces in polls related violence and called for greater investment of powers in the Elections Commissioner to ensure a free and fair poll. Concluding their mission to Sri Lanka’s formerly embattled Northern Province that elected its first provincial council in last Saturday’s election, the SAARC observer mission lauded the Elections Commissioner’s efforts to get voters to the polls and ensure the secrecy of ballots.

“The substantial turnout of voters in the north showed confidence in the arrangements made by the Elections Commissioner and an enthusiasm to participate in the democratic process,” former Indian Chief Commissioner of Elections N. Gopalswami told a press briefing in Colombo last afternoon. However, Gopalswami expressed concerns about the attack on a candidate before the poll, referring to the election eve attack on TNA Member Ananthi Sasitharan’s home. “The group was dismayed at the role of the armed services in that incident, as confirmed by a PAFFREL monitor present at the scene,” the Head of Mission told reporters. Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya who arrived to speak to the international observers following the news conference said he had received many complaints about the military but no way to prove it. Gopalswami also said the mission was dismayed about the publication of a fake Uthayan newspaper on polling day that received considerable promotion by a television station on the day of the poll. He noted this was a major misuse of the freedom of the press during the election. “The Group is not aware of any action to stop this programming that was taking place on the day of polling,” he said. Also cited among the Mission’s negative observations was the misuse of Government staff in campaign work including trainee nurses and Samurdhi officials. “In many of our countries once elections are announced, government ministers cannot participate in the inauguration or even the announcement of new projects,” Gopalswami said. He added that the Group had recommended the enactment of laws prohibiting public servants from engaging in political activity. “We recommend overarching powers to be granted to the Elections Commissioner in the interest of ensuring a free and fair poll,” the Head of the SAARC Mission said. The Mission of International Election Observers comprised 15 observers drawn from SAARC countries deployed in all electoral districts of the Northern Province to observe Saturday’s historic poll.