Uva Provincial Council Election – August 2009 Media ...

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Uva Provincial Council Election ? August 2009 Media Communiqu? No -01

30th July, 2009 Colombo; The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) has commenced monitoring of the Uva Provincial Council Election. Fifteen [15] Field Monitors have already been deployed in each of the Polling Divisions in the province and on the Election Day CMEV will deploy 230 monitors in the Polling Centers identified as sensitive in nature. Apart from the Polling Center Observers, 25 Mobile Teams will also be deployed on Election Day in Uva.

Since the close of nominations on 24th June, 2009, CMEV has confirmed a cumulative total of 28 incidents of election related violence from the Uva Province. Of this total, 16 have been categorized as Major Incidents and the rest as Minor Incidents. CMEV notes that the incidence of violence has steadily increased as the Election Day draws near.

Misuse / Abuse of Public Property and Power There is an alarming trend of misuse of public property and resources during the campaign. State owned buildings, telephones and many vehicles are presently utilized, for the election campaign in the Monaragala district. Mr. V. G. Sarath Vidhana Gama, J V P Candidate, Monaragala [13] and Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Jayawardhana, Group Leader, JVP, Monaragala District, have noted that the election campaign of UPFA chief Ministerial candidate, Basnayake Nilame of Katharagama Kovil, Mr Shasheendra Rajapakshe [13] is involved in this regard.

Further to an investigation carried out by CMEV; Mr. R. M. Sudath Balagalla, Group leader and chief Minitrial candidate JVP Badulla and Mr. K. V. Samantha Vidyaratna, MP- JVP, Badulla have noted that six government vehicles are being used by UPFA candidates. Details of incidents are provided below:

Two double cabs numbered WP-JG 2708 and 52-2261 belonging to Highways, Electricity, Cooperatives and Transport Ministry of the Uva Provincial Council are being used by UPFA candidate Mr. A. M. Buddhadasa [05].

Two cabs numbered UP-GB 4820, UP-GE 4498 and a Pajero numbered 32-2913 belonging to Line Ministry of Agriculture are being used by UPFA candidate, former Provincial Minister of Agriculture Mr. D. D. W. Wickramarathne [13] and

A vehicle numbered 253 ? 7059 belonging to the Uva Provincial Council is used by UPFA candidate, S. A.R. Bandusena [20].

When CMEV contacted, Mr. Amarasekara, Chief Secretary Uva Province regarding above incidents, they said that these six vehicles have not been returned as of today the 30th July 2009.

Police Bias and violation of election related Laws CMEV strongly believes that the partisan political bias of the Police in almost all polling divisions militates against the conduct of a free and fair election. This is a crucial factor particularly in the Monaragala District. According to CMEV observations and information received from the JVP, OIC Elections of most police stations are not accepting complaints and also not recording them under the EIB. In accordance with election law, the Police in the Uva Province should take the necessary action to tear down any and all election related materials including posters, banners and hoardings. The three incidents detailed below are clear examples of police bias towards UPFA.

The large size cutout of UPFA candidate Mr. Sujeewa Jayasinghe, AAL [21] displayed in front of the Court complex, Badulla. The police Badulla have not taken any action to date. Further to this incident, there was an election rally at Rajaveediya, Keppetipola Road [28th July] in the Badulla town area with nearly 500 UPFA supporters. Public address systems had been used in vehicles without licenses being obtained. This is contrary to clause 74 (5) (1) of the PC Elections Act no. 02 of 1988.

Postal Votes Postal voting was held on 27th and 28th July 2009 in Uva Province and CMEV monitors observed 88 polling centers. Apart from one minor incident reported in Diyathalawa, Haputhale, CMEV notes that the postal vote was held in a free and fair manner in the polling divisions it monitored.

CMEV expresses its concerns and condemns the steady increase of the misuse of public property, infringement of the laws relating to the election campaign, political bias of the Police and urges political parties and the Police to immediately act to arrest this disturbing trend. Another concern based upon the monitoring of the last round of provincial council elections relates to the issue of proper voter identity documentation. We urge the authorities to ensure that all necessary action is taken so that there will be no effective disenfranchisement of voters.

CMEV was formed in 1997 by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the Coalition against Political Violence as an independent and nonpartisan organisation to monitor the incidence of election related violence. Currently, CMEV is made up of CPA, FMM and INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre.

DR. P. SARAVANAMUTTU CO ? CONVENOR.

SUNIL JAYASEKARA CO-CONVENOR

MR..UDAYA. KALUPATHIRANA CO ? CONVENOR

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