PAFFEREL Expects Misuse Of Public Property

By Nirmala Kannangara

Rampant misuse of public property is expected at the September 8 local government election, Executive Director People’s Alliance for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFEREL) – Rohana Hettiarachchi said.
Hettiarachchi said this following the ruling party’s failure to abide by the Election Commissioner’s request not to hold election rallies after handing over nominations.
“All ministers and other ruling party heavy-weights went in processions after handing over nominations on Thursday which was strictly prohibited by the Elections Commissioner (EC). If the people who are in power violates election regulations from the inception, what else could the people expect from them other than election violations in the days to come,” said Hettiarachchi.
Hettiarachchi further accused the former members of the three dissolved provincial councils for their failure to hand in over their official vehicles and residences back to the respective Chief Secretaries.
“Other than one member in the eastern province, none of the others in the three provincial councils has so far returned back the official vehicles and residences. If the beginning is this how could we expect a free and fair election?” Hettiarachchi added.
According to Hettiarachchi the ruling party members have already set an example how to disobey election laws by putting up banners and cutouts in their respective provinces which would lead to intra party violence once the preference numbers are given.
“The elections monitors on Thursday July 19 sent faxes to the Chief Secretaries and Governors of the three provinces urging to get the official vehicles and houses from the former members. We are going to see whether they have performed their duties by this week if not we will bring it to the EC’s notice,” said Hettiarachchi.