EC: Desist from hate speech

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said on Tuesday that the use of hate speech, in canvassing votes, was a serious offence under the Parliamentary Elections Act, and therefore he urged the candidates to desist from such acts.

Addressing the media, Deshapriya said he learnt of propaganda activities asking voters to cast their ballot for candidates of a particular ethnic or religious group under whatever party.

He said he had received complaints about such propaganda through the social media.

Likewise, he said any election related propaganda, aimed at the promotion of separatism, was unconstitutional, as MPs to be elected, had to take oaths under Article 6 of the Constitution to uphold the unitary status of the country.

Also, he noted that his Department would take steps to the convenience of personals with disabilities in turning up at polling stations for casting their ballots on the day of polling.

Already, he noted that Rs. 1.5 million had been spent to facilitate them.

“We may have to spend at least Rs.10 million in this respect. We have to facilitate such persons to access polling stations located upstairs in buildings. If we fix additional door ways, it will cost us Rs.30, 000 each,” he said.

The Commissioner requested even senior citizens to inform him if they were slated to have difficulties in accessing their polling stations.

“If they have problems due to long walks involved, I should be informed of it. I look into the concerns of such senior citizens with physical weaknesses,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)