Bid by poll chief to hold free poll could fail: UNP

(January 20, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) There is a danger of Elections Commissioner's attempts to hold a free and fair election would be to no avail due to undue influence and interference exerted by the government, says the United National Party (UNP).

In a letter to the Elections Commissioner, Tissa Attanayake, General Secretary of the UNP has stated that in a scenario of violence along with the conduct of the government, the opportunities of holding a free and fair elections are very limited.

The voting rights of those displaced in the north are also restricted, says the UNP in its letter pointing out that that opposition candidates face numerous obstacles in conducting their propaganda activities in the north.

The letter also points out that despite Election Commissioner's directive that transfers of state service and armed forces officers should not take place until the election is over, officers who had performed their duties without fear or favour had been had either been sent abroad or sent on compulsory leave.

Mr. Attanayake has also drawn the attention of the Elections Commissioner to the moves being made to get the votes of Samurdhi recipients by influencing the Samurdhi Officers.

The General Secretary of the UNP has also urged the Elections Commissioner to immediately intervene in the manner the state media is conducting its affairs totally disregarding the orders of the Supreme Court as well as the Competent Authority.

Pointing out that the police are finding it difficult to maintain law and order, the UNP in its letter has called on the Elections Commissioner to consider seeking the assistance of the Army to maintain law and order, treating it as an urgent need.