News

News

Election law violations: Polls chief cracks whip on Police
Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake has issued fresh orders to the Police to strictly adhere to the elections law relating to posters, cut-outs and banners as parties continue to violate the law.

The Commissioner told Police Elections chief Gamini Navaratne that if any political party breaks the elections law relating to putting up of posters and other election paraphernalia, police should take immediate action to remove them.

At the weekly meeting between the Commissioner and political party representatives, the issue of printing and distributing election posters, putting up posters and the use of slogans in posters were discussed. Although the parties had earlier agreed to include only the venue, date, time and party name on cutouts and posters advertising a rally, parties had violated the agreement by using party slogans.

After much debate the Commissioner told party representatives that slogans cannot be used but instead the names of the speakers could be included.
Opposition parties also raised the issue of posters of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse’s picture appearing in the PA election manifesto sprouting up in public places. They protested that using the candidate’s picture was a clear violation of the election law. The Commissioner informed the police to take necessary action.

Earlier in the week a press release issued by the Prime Minister Rajapakse’s Chief Campaign Coordinator’s office said the UNP was misinterpreting the laws relating to the putting up of posters in a bid to hinder the Prime Minister’s campaign.

“According to the election laws putting up posters and handing out leaflets are not a violations. Putting up posters in public places is a violation. Carrying out house-to-house campaigns and opening offices is not a violation,” the release said.

Top

Back to News