17 September 2021 10:09 pm
While claiming that the public will lose faith in the country’s electoral system and democracy when public representatives enter prisons and intimidate inmates, the Election Commission (EC) said that it would request the Speaker in Parliament to take appropriate action in this regard.
The EC which met today, had discussed the recent incidents at the Welikada and Anuradhapura Prisons involving former Prison Reforms State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.
“Not only human rights violations of inmates but also the public will lose faith in the electoral systems, democracy if such public representatives visit prisons and intimidate inmates,” Chairman of Commission Nimal Punchihewa said.
He also said that such acts by public representatives, the public would have doubts about the outcome of the country’s free and fair election process as well.
“So, the EC has decided to request the Speaker in Parliament to take appropriate action in this matter,” the Chairman added. (Sunil Jayasiri)