(FMM/IFEX) – The Ruling People’s Alliance Party in Sri Lanka has launched a vicious campaign against the commissioner of elections and are said to be taking steps to remove him from office. At the center of the controversy is a decision by the commissioner of elections to print a secret security sticker for polling cards […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The Ruling People’s Alliance Party in Sri Lanka has launched a vicious campaign against the commissioner of elections and are said to be taking steps to remove him from office. At the center of the controversy is a decision by the commissioner of elections to print a secret security sticker for polling cards after opposition political parties complained that the ruling party has printed polling cards almost identical to the official polling card. In response, the state media have launched a vicious campaign against the commissioner.
General elections are to be held in Sri Lanka on 10 October 2000, amidst growing fears that the elections would be rigged as in the past. The commissioner of elections has promised unprecedented security measures in a bid to stop the rigging.
The following is a statement issued by a group of well known journalists, academics, lawyers and others:
We appeal for urgent action since the government is said to be planning to move in the Supreme Court tomorrow (14 September 2000) to remove the commissioner. The Supreme Court itself has been tainted after the president appointed a close associate as the chief justice last year. The chief justice has given some astonishing judgments in favour of the government
PRESS RELEASE
Resist any attempts to challenge the authority and independence of the Commissioner of Elections
We, as citizens committed to safeguarding the democratic process in Sri Lanka, are deeply disturbed by recent events which have given rise to grave doubts regarding the free and fair nature of the forthcoming Parliamentary elections.
As reported by the media, the integrity of the Commissioner of Elections is being questioned by the PA government as a consequence of measures he has felt necessary to take to prevent the use of stolen or forged polling cards. The Commissioner of Elections maintains that he fully intended to
inform the political parties of this at the appropriate time.
We have always been of the view that an independent Elections Commission is a basic prerequisite for safeguarding democracy in Sri Lanka. We are therefore committed to defending the right of the Commissioner of Elections in taking whatever steps he identifies as being necessary to prevent electoral fraud and malpractice. Our concern is reinforced by the experience of flawed elections in the past which has shown that no political party is above committing illegal acts to gain and hold onto power.
Reports that the Commissioner of Elections has himself been the target of threats and intimidation is profoundly shocking. Acts of threat and intimidation against the Commissioner of Elections and the failure of the law enforcement agencies to prevent such incidents from taking place, will only destroy public faith and confidence in the democratic process.
Any attempt to challenge the authority and independence of the Commissioner of Elections or to obstruct him in the performance of his constitutionally guaranteed duties will demonstrate the abject failure of the democratic process in Sri Lanka and should be resisted by all democratic and peace-loving forces in society.
We call upon all political parties and civil society groups to affirm the independence of the Commissioner of Elections and to extend to him their fullest support and cooperation to ensure a free and fair election in Sri Lanka on 10 October 2000.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the commissioner of elections:
– expressing your support
Send appeals to the president:
– protesting the campaign against the commissioner of elections
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Mr.Dayananda Dissanayake
Commissioner of Elections
Fax: +94 1 868 445
H.E. The President Chandrika Kumaratunga
Fax: +94 1 333 703
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
