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Sunday, July 15, 2012

Poll violations on the rise

Election monitors have complained to the Elections Department over schools in the Anuradhapura District being used to hold political rallies.

The Executive Director for the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), Keerthi Tennakoon told Ceylon Today, parents with children attending both schools in question had been duped as they did not expect a political meeting.

 He added that the meeting had taken place on Friday and the parents were surprised to see local political ‘would be candidates’ for the North-Central Province attending the meeting, as they had expected the meeting to be related to the students and the school.
 
“We have informed the Election Department over the drastic increase of violations of election laws taking place. Last Wednesday, we had even written to the Commissioner of Elections in relation to the current situation and the complaints we have been receiving,” Tennakoon said.
 
He said these violations are taking place even before the finalization of election nominations.

The Elections Department will accept nominations for the Eastern, North-Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils from 12 July to 19 July noon.
 
Currently, the most number of violations of election laws have been reported from the Trincomalee District.
CT