Using state resources for election propaganda a punishable offence

By Sandun A. Jayasekera

The Elections Commission reiterated yesterday that using state officials, state vehicles and equipment, and other state resources for election propaganda would be a punishable offence under the election law.   

Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya reminded all Ministry Secretaries, Heads of Departments, District Secretaries, Heads of Statutory bodies, Provincial Secretaries and Secretaries of Local Government bodies, they must ensure that the state resources like vehicles, equipment, human resources and other state assets are not used or misused for election propaganda.  

“Complaints of illegal use of state resources for election propaganda are being received daily by the Elections Commission from around the country on daily basis. The Elections Commission has also found that most of these complaints are correct. Therefore, the EC urges all above mentioned state officials not to let state resources under their purview, be used for election campaigns,” Mr. Deshapriya stressed.   He has instructed the relevant officials to make ministers and provincial governors aware with regard to this matter.   

Mr. Deshapriya is of the view that party leaders, General Secretaries, election monitoring NGOs, the media and public officials would direct their attention to the EC’s instructions and would act accordingly to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election.