Groups engaged in illegal activities during the election period will not be allowed to undermine the rule of law in any way, said the National People’s Power (NPP) Election Monitoring Centre Media Spokesperson, attorney Akalanka Ukwatta.
Addressing a press conference yesterday (05), he said, “The NPP Election Monitoring Centre has received a total of 295 complaints. These include 159 instances of illegal campaigning, six obstructions to lawful election campaigns, 20 acts of violence, 73 attempts to unduly influence public opinion, 54 misuses of state resources, and 25 instances of state officials being used for election campaigns, some falling under multiple categories.”
He also emphasised, “The SJB has reported instances of food distribution at their meetings, which the NPP has reported to the Election Commission. Additionally, the SJB Presidential Candidate Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is allegedly misusing state property by operating an office in a Ratmalana railway official’s residence, and displaying photographs of individuals other than the candidates in their election offices. Despite proclaiming a commitment to building a law-abiding nation, the SJB is engaging in such practices within their own election campaign. If they cannot adhere to the law even during the election period, this reflects poorly on their discipline.
“Ranil Wickremesinghe, who claims to be an Independent candidate, is using the national flag in his election campaign, violating election laws. Manusha Nanayakkara, who lost his Parliamentary seat due to a Court order, is using vehicles from the Foreign Employment Bureau for his election campaign. After being removed from Parliament, he was appointed as a Presidential advisor to the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment to carry out such activities.
The Military, Police, and Civil Defence personnel have been deployed in Hambantota, Monaragala, and Ja-Ela to construct Ranil Wickremesinghe’s political stages. We have evidence of these personnel being deployed out of uniform. Negombo Municipal Council employees have been used to construct an election office. Additionally, 100 airport officials have been hastily recruited, granted leave, and deployed for election activities since September 2. Three-wheeler union officials have been summoned to the Presidential Secretariat, given money, and pressured to affix ‘Puluwan Sri Lanka’ stickers to their vehicles. On our complaints, the Police intervened and initially stopped this practice, but it has since resumed. We have video and other written evidence to support these claims.”
“These actions are an attempt to obstruct the people’s ability to freely express their will on September 21. Such actions cannot hinder the victory of the NPP. We emphasise that those who engage in illegal activities during the election period will in no way be allowed to undermine the rule of law,” he added.
(dailynews.lk)
