Election malpractices despite complaints : UNP
More than 500 government vehicles had been used by the ruling party for the provincial council election campaign in the Sabaragamuwa, North Central and Eastern Provincial Councils, UNP Senior Vice President Lakshman Kiriella charged yesterday.
Mr. Kiriella told journalists that no action had been taken by the Polls Chief or the police on the complaints lodged by his party on the matter.
He said just a hand full of vehicles were handed over to the police by the ruling party just for show.
Coming up with another allegation he said the police have failed to arrest the culprits who had assaulted UNP candidate Wijayakumar Widanagama recenty. He charged that the man behind this incident was one Amila but the police have failed to arrest him despite the tip offs it had received.
Mr. Kiriella stressed that Sri Lanka should follow India’s example and arrest the candidates who violate electoral laws. He made this point by recalling
Just a hand full of vehicles were handed over to the police by the ruling party just for show. -UNP
how former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s grand son was arrested by the police following the orders of Election Commissioner for making statements which arouses communalism.
“Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya should also work in the same way,” he said.
However, he said one cannot blame the Commissioner of Elections or the police as there were no provisions for them to work independently as they came directly under the Executive.
Also, he said Sri Lanka should take urgent steps to convert the Commission of Elections and the Police independent bodies as it had been recommended by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission appointed by the government and by the resolution of the UN Human Rights Council.