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HRC issues pre- and post-poll guidelines to police
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has issued guidelines to be observed by police during the run-up to the election, on the day of the election and the period immediately after the election.

According to the guidelines complaints shall be accepted and investigated in terms of Article 12 of the Constitution which declares that 'all persons are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law.' The police will be held liable for violation of fundamental rights for any inaction or omission with regard to entertaining such complaints. Issuing permits to use loudspeakers and for election meetings shall be in accordance with the law, especially in terms of Section 68(2) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981.

Parades during the election period shall be permitted according to the law and display of leaflets, posters and photographs of the candidates, symbols, flags and banners shall be permitted according to election laws. The police shall strictly enforce the law with regard to persons who violate the right of others to vote.

Police officers shall provide adequate security to polling centres and other related places and make every effort to facilitate the conduct of a free and fair election in accordance with the law of the land.

It shall be the duty of the police officers to enforce the law strictly against all persons who misuse or cause damage to public property such as government vehicles, buildings and premises. The police have a responsibility to prevent election related violence including post election violence.

The police shall not participate in the perpetration of any type of violence against persons or property, including subjecting persons to torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, on their own initiative or at the behest of any other party.

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