Purported election gimmick ECC thwarts pilgrimage of 60 elders

By Sujith Hewajulige 

An attempt to take 60 members of an elder’s home on pilgrimage to Anuradhapura under the patronage of a candidate contesting the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) election has been thwarted by the Elpitiya Elections Complaints Centre (ECC) last Tuesday. 

An official attached to ECC said the attempt was considered a bribe during an election period and that it contravened the election law. He said the candidate responsible for arranging the pilgrimage had been severely warned. 

Returning officer at ECC G. Sumedha and a team of officers cancelled the pilgrimage for 60 members of an elder’s home in Elpitiya on information received by them.  ECC officers also thwarted an attempt to distribute gifts among children and elders for World Children’s Day and International Day for Older Persons on October 1.