PAFFREL calls for election complaints commission

5 October 2011 09:30 pm - 2 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A fully fledged election complaints commission should be established with powers to disqualify candidates if they are found guilty of violating election laws, rules and regulations, a leading election monitoring group said yesterday.

The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) PAFFREL’s Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said the need for such a body was badly felt in the run-up to tomorrow’s local council elections.

He said such a commission existed in Thailand.

“The elections commissioner should be given powers to disqualify errant candidates after a thorough investigation into complaints against them. We have seen blatant violations of the election law this time,” Mr. Hettiarachchi said.

He said in one instance, a candidate from the South had distributed Rs.1000, a packet of lunch and a bottle of liquor to each of his supporters during campaigning while another candidate from the same area had air-dropped handbills and leaflets which carried his name, preferential number and the symbol of his party.

Mr. Hettiarachchi said public processions had been conducted in the areas such as Matara and Anuradhapura inconveniencing the public.

“All these incidents are violations of election law. We have to campaign for an election complaints commission. The distribution of dry rations, corrugated sheets, spectacles and stationery items were done by candidates of the ruling party and the opposition,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 2

citizen Thursday, 06 October 2011 06:54 AM

its a good move...but we never knw when this will be implemented

Kumudu Thursday, 06 October 2011 09:26 AM

Election is for politicians, appointed by politicians as per the mechanism they select, and no program for masses. All these monitoring system is for the people who accept these election as free and fare. For others monitors are by the politicians only to coverup for society.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

PAFFREL calls for election complaints commission

Comments - 2

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

April 15 declared a government holiday

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Wild elephants pull down 16 telephone poles

Middleman arrested for price gouging at Kalutara eatery

Bondholders’ agreement delay won’t hinder IMF third tranche payout: Dr. Coomaraswamy

Party leaders to shoot down MPs request for concessionary duty free vehicle permits

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings