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Polls chief vows to take tough stand

18 July 2011 03:50 pm - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Elections Commissioner Mahinda Desapriya today guaranteed  political party representatives and election monitors that he would take steps to annul or postpone polls if the abuse of state resources and other malpractice continued.

The abuse of state resources, unlawful cut-outs and posters and inter party and intra party violence were among the key issues brought to his notice by representatives of various political parties.

PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi who participated in the meeting said the Commissioner, during the meeting, ordered his officials and the police to remove all unlawful cut-outs by noon today.

The Commissioner also told the meeting that he had earlier instructed the heads of the state institutions not to allow anyone to use their resources for electioneering. Yet, he noted that he had no power to do anything under the present law if anyone ignored his instructions in this regard.

However, Mr. Hettiarachchi quoted Mr. Desapriya as having told the meeting, that he (Mr. Desapriya) would annul the poll if the violation of election laws continued unabated even till the day of polling.

The Commissioner cited the Wilgamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha area as the place gripped most by intra-party election violence.

For the first time, he informed the meeting that political party representatives present at counting centres would be given certificates as proof.

“Otherwise, political party representatives make allegations that they are not allowed to be present at counting centres. That is why, we decided to issue certificates to them,” the Commissioner told the meeting.

The candidates in the fray are required to close their offices put up to conduct propaganda activities,  July 20. (KB)

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  Comments - 16

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  • Gamarala Monday, 18 July 2011 05:02 PM

    I hope you can do a wonderful job. Don't say yes to Polico.

    We Sri Lankan Monday, 18 July 2011 05:36 PM

    On conditional Bail out???

    Concerned Monday, 18 July 2011 06:47 PM

    Nothing new. We heard the same promises from your predecessor many a times, but of no avail.

    pj Monday, 18 July 2011 09:12 PM

    Heehehehehehehehehehehe.........................................

    Pissa Monday, 18 July 2011 11:24 PM

    We need more like YOU - Good Luck !

    C.K.Lankaputhra Tuesday, 19 July 2011 12:40 AM

    His predecessor also promised similar actions. But....

    Hoodwinked Tuesday, 19 July 2011 01:51 AM

    Tell it to the birds. This what your predecessor also said when he was at the helm. ultimately ended tensed up with so many lies to cover up

    sparks Tuesday, 19 July 2011 02:54 AM

    Very very unlikely in a boot licking country such as ours. Just see what our ex-CJ is up to now...

    sparks Tuesday, 19 July 2011 02:55 AM

    Absolutely right...dare he annul or postpone the polls.

    Roshan Tuesday, 19 July 2011 03:20 AM

    These similar promises we have heard before, nothing can go against the Govt.

    Grumpy Tuesday, 19 July 2011 03:26 AM

    We heard this story before. At the end you will say that there were no violations.

    Fairose Tuesday, 19 July 2011 03:39 AM

    It appears that we have a somewhat-strong Election Commissioner but the tooth that can bite hard has been disabled under the 18th Amendment. We make our judgment by your talks but if you fail to make the words to deeds. You too fall into the same category of your recent-predecessor who has been a shame.

    dagi Tuesday, 19 July 2011 04:57 AM

    Never say No.

    kaputakukula Tuesday, 19 July 2011 05:28 AM

    Usual barkings. V all know that barking --gs do not bite.

    Regi Tuesday, 19 July 2011 05:59 AM

    We can see how strong and genuine our Election Commissioner is once the results are out.

    Tonto Tuesday, 19 July 2011 09:59 AM

    We have the famous phrase ' old wine in new bottles'. This is just another example.


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