Democratic National Alliance Leader (DNA) Sarath Fonseka today raised issue with Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya regarding the 500 ballot papers found discarded near Kalagedihena.

Mr. Fonseka also asked Mr. Deshapriya about the non-registration of his party and said it was the Elections Commissioner who should ensure democracy in the country by permitting the DNA to be registered as political party.

He told the media that there was a court case pending with regard to the ballot papers marked with the ‘swan’ symbol found near a school at Kalagedihena.

Mr. Fonseka said until the court decides otherwise he still believed that the incident was connected to the robbing of the ballot papers.

Speaking about the registration of his party the Democratic National Alliance, Mr. Fonseka said though the Commissioner had requested for audit reports they don’t have any because it is a new political party. He said it had been more than three years since they applied for registration as a political party and added that the matter has been referred to the Human Rights Commission as well.

The Election Chief also expressed regret over the incident where marked ballot papers were found near a school. He said two committees had been appointed to investigate how such an incident occurred and to recommend ways of preventing this type of incident happening again. (Sarasi Paranamanna & Darshana Sanjeewa)