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NPC polls must be perfect and transparent: Basil

10 July 2012 02:34 am - 12     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The first-ever elections to the Northern Provincial Council must be “perfect and transparent”, and an environment conducive to the holding of free and fair elections could be created in the North by September 2013, the government said yesterday.

 “The first Provincial Council election in the North has to be perfect and transparent. We don’t want to hold an election and then get blamed,” Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa told Daily Mirror.

The minister said President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa were both very keen to have elections in the North, but emphasised that an environment for a proper election had first to be created.

“Confounding all expectations, we managed to resettle almost 95% of the IDPs. But there are older IDPs from all three communities who have to be resettled. We have to create the suitable environment for their return. It is the duty of the government to create such an environment before holding elections. Otherwise, we will be accused of depriving the displaced persons of their right to vote,” he said.

“The people in the North had been under a repressive regime for almost three decades. Grassroots level organisations have not been established. Even for the SLFP, there is no environment for a proper campaign. All political parties are entitled to campaign on an equal footing; and it is the government’s responsibility to create such an environment,” Mr. Rajapaksa said.     

Explaining the rationale behind the holding of early elections to three PCs, Mr. Rajapaksa said, “Regular elections are an important democratic tradition. It is essential to check the pulse of the people from time to time, If we are on the wrong track, we can adjust and take corrective action.” (Ayesha Zuhair)

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  Comments - 12

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  • Kiris Baba Amaray Tuesday, 10 July 2012 05:10 AM

    Sir, law makers are the law breakers. Which catageroy you are?

    Amarathunga Chandika Tuesday, 10 July 2012 05:17 AM

    Past electtions you have told this somany times, but your own people were over-ruling your statement.

    idiot Tuesday, 10 July 2012 06:20 AM

    Words, words. Transparent only to certain eyes?

    Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 10 July 2012 06:40 AM

    "Nokerana vedakamata Konduru thel hath pattayak....."

    Minister Tuesday, 10 July 2012 07:01 AM

    Yes, yes, why not? We know it will and computers are ready now!

    kumisura Tuesday, 10 July 2012 08:04 AM

    Why can't I stop laughing!

    Bandara Tuesday, 10 July 2012 09:59 AM

    How come you conducted presidential and parliamentary elections in NPC area?

    Jay Tuesday, 10 July 2012 10:27 AM

    When he says "perfect", he means a winning condition for his party. I guess I'll be very long wait.

    ajanth Tuesday, 10 July 2012 10:44 AM

    why was presidential & parliamentary not postpone after september 2013.this is obvious SLFP cant win in this place

    Andy Tuesday, 10 July 2012 11:19 AM

    And also local authority elections.

    They know they will lose the NPC election (if it's done fairly) so they are delaying holding it to allow their cronies to plunder as much of the province's wealth (land, property, minerals, jobs etc) as possible before the NPC starts functioning.

    Pxxx Tuesday, 10 July 2012 10:24 PM

    Computer jilmals to be stop

    p.wijesekera Wednesday, 11 July 2012 07:39 AM

    How long is this unfortunate country to put up with this man?


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