Despite strong warnings, election law violations continue

While the new electoral system was supposed to do away with the ugly spectacle of candidates fighting for preferential votes and engaging in poster wars, posters and cutouts are still appearing in large numbers ahead of February’s local council elections.

The Sunday Times’ correspondents throughout the country have reported that propaganda posters and cutouts are still seen in many areas, despite the Election Commission Authority and the Police saying there would be a crackdown on such violations during the campaign for the February 10 local polls.

According to Police Headquarters, 44 people have been arrested for 15 incidents of alleged election law violations. Ten suspects have been arrested for allegedly driving vehicles displaying posters, banners and flags of political parties and candidates. Four were arrested for allegedly usng loudspeakers fitted to vehicles for propaganda work. Thirty people were arrested for allegedly having propaganda posters or pasting them.

One major incident was reported from Batticaloa on Friday. Within an hour of starting his election campaign in Batticaloa, Former North- Eastern Provincial Council Chief Minister Varadharaja Perumal was arrested along with several supporters for allegedly distributing propaganda leaflets. They were taken to the Batticaloa Police Station. After Batticaloa Police recorded a statement, Mr Perumal and his supporters were warned and released.

Police said they had received 36 election-related complaints -- five regarding assault and 14 related to threats and intimidation. There were five complaints relating to the distribution of goods and equipment, while three related to attacks on houses and property.

On Friday, the Elections Commission (EC) reiterated there was a strict prohibition on using either government or personal funds to distribute financial or material aid to promote candidates or political parties/groups contesting the local government polls. The Commission rejected claims that it had overlooked such offences.

Meanwhile, at a meeting held with the