Obstructing the election meetings of the Democratic Party

Government undermines the essence of elections

Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) has observed that the continuous obstruction of electioneering for Democratic Party (DP) has violated the fundamental rights enshrined by the Sri Lankan constitution while undermining the essence of the electoral process.

Recently CaFFE issued a press release stating that DP has been continuously harassed by the agents of government and supporters of UPFA politicians. The party has been barred from holding election rallies, especially in Hambantota District. In addition several incidents of intimidation have also been reported.

CaFFE has observed that DP has not been allowed to hold any meetings in building/property that belongs to the local councils (in respective districts) and that the police have consistently refused to allow the party to use Public Announcing systems when they are to hold rallies/meetings in private premises. This has prevented the DP from propagating its views to a wider public and has significantly weakened their election campaign. However such restrictions are not imposed on UPFA or the UNP, which also is a violation of the principal that everyone should be treated equally.

The DP has informed CaFFE that permission has not been given to hold seven meetings which are to be held between today (February 27) to March 23 in Hambantota District. Today, CaFFE witness the blocking of the meeting in Weeraketiya, which is an open harassment to carry out political activities of a political party.   We see that this is an infringement of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Sri Lankan constitution as well as several of the international agreements we are a party to.

CaFFE requests the relevant authorities to ensure a level playing field to all political parties which is a hallmark of a free and fair election. This is a must for maintaining people's faith in representative democracy and the belief that political change is possible through peaceful means.

181 NOTORIOUS CRIMINALS ELECTION CAMPAIGNING

2014-02-26
The police headquarters has received information that 181 notorious criminals belonging to 15 groups of thugs have come to the Southern and Western Provinces to work in election campaigns.

A survey conducted by the Police headquarters had found that among those criminals were those who had involved in election law violations in the elections held during the recent past, a senior police official told ‘told the media
Police headquarters had sent details of these persons to all police stations in the Southern and Western Provinces and instructed to keep a tab on them.

The police have also requested all political parties not to employ thugs in their electioneering activities.

According to the findings of the survey the highest number of thugs and criminals are involved in campaigning in the western province.