Monitors divided over conduct of poll

The two main election monitoring groups are divided over the way the Satur- day’s elections for three Provincial Councils were conducted with the Peoples Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) claiming the elections were more free and fair than previous ones and the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFÉ) painting a darker picture.

PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told the Daily Mirror that the situation at the provincial council elections was improved in several aspects compared to previous ones though it was not totally free and fair.

Accordingly he said action taken to prevent the abuse of state resources were remarkable this time compared to previous elections. He said the Commissioner of Elections should be commended as he took immediate action on the complaints received on the illegal use of state resources throughout the elections. He said the situation was the same when it came to police action except in a few areas including Akkaraipatttu. He said the police failed to carry out the orders given by the IGP to stop illegal actions during the elections period.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hettiarachchi said there were two incidents of post election violence reported from Adalachchenai

The commissioner of elections should be commended as he took immediate action on the complaints received on the illegal use of state resources throughout the elections.

and Ottamavadi. In Ottamavadi an SLMC polling agent identified as Asen Mawlavi was assaulted by a gang and was hospitalised. In Adalachchenai an SLMC supporter identified as Najeed was assaulted and hospitalised. PAFFREL had written to the commissioner of elections to maintain police patrol in the Eastern Province for week. CaFFÉ said there were cases of intimidation of voters in several areas in the East. Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon said the illegal use of state resources were high throughout the elections. He therefore called for electrical reforms and for the establishment of an interdependent body to handle elections.