’Safeguard dignity of post you are contesting for’

An election monitoring body has requested all presidential candidates yesterday to act throughout the campaign period in a manner that would protect and safeguard the dignity of the post of President that they are contesting for.

Issuing a statement, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said this is an election held to elect the head of state, the head of the executive and the first citizen of the country, and therefore it is incumbent upon all candidates and their supporters to act, throughout the campaign period, in a manner that would protect and safeguard the dignity of the post of president that they contest for .

“The election scheduled to be held on November 16, 2019, has become an election contested by the highest number of candidates in the history of Sri Lankan presidential elections. This being an election contested by a large number of candidates, fierce competition can be envisaged during the election campaign,” PAFFREL said.

PAFFREL also requested the candidates to abstain from violating the Constitution and all other laws of the republic including the Presidential Elections Act No 15 of 1981, to refrain from using polythene material and conduct an environmental friendly election campaign, and strictly adhere to the guidelines and instructions issued by the Election Commission.

It also requested them to ensure that no illegal or unlawful acts are committed to carrying out the election campaign and to abstain from violence.