'PC Polls: IGP'S orders on security provision ignored'
An order by the IGP N.K. Ilangakoon has been overlooked by not providing security to eight candidates of the SLMC, the TNA and the UNP in the run up to the provincial council elections in the East, polls observers said yesterday.
The People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), a local election monitoring watch said the IGP ordered to provide security to 11 candidates in the East, but only three of them including UNP chief ministerial candidate Daya Gamage had been assigned with some security personnel.
PAFFREL's Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said the situation was getting more and more volatile in the east with some political parties complaining about increased harass- ment against their candidates. Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya also said that earlier Akkaraipattu, the Anuradhapura town, Dehiattakandiya and Eravur were areas vulnerable to election violence.
SLMC General Secretary Hasan Ali said his party asked for security for their party office in Akkaraipattu and its organiser for the area. Also, he said the party needed security for three of its candidates in the Batticaloa district.
"The IGP sanctioned our request. Yet, local police officers disregarded even an order by the IGP," he said.
Attempts to get a comment from the local officers failed.