Canvassing at state institutions forbidden -- EC

It is forbidden, at any of the offices owned by the state or the provincial councils, government schools, local authorities or any institution owned by any state corporation or board, to  canvass for presidential candidates in any manner – such as by the distribution of handbills or leaflets or conducting meetings, Elections Chief Mahinda Deshapriya announced yesterday.

“Therefore, all the politicians and their political activists are hereby informed that it is imperativel to refrain from engaging in such activities,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He also said that it was the duty of the heads and other responsible officers, in offices owned by the state or the provincial councils or government schools or  local authorities or other government institutions to prevent such illegal acts being performed.

However, he said, this rule did not apply where institution rented out space to political parties, candidates or organisations to hold meetings in the rented areas.