CaFFE concerned over Pillay’s visit to Jaffna
By Kasun Ganewaththa and Vyshnavy Velrajh
The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) is deeply concerned about United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay meeting selected political parties or groups contesting in the up coming Northen Provincial Council(NPC) Election during her visit to Sri Lanka, CaFFE Executive Director, Keerthi Tennakoon said during a media briefing in Kilinochchi today.
He stated that if the High Commissioner meets selected political parties or groups contesting for the NPC, it will give that group an unfair and unethical advantage not in accordance with the level playing field, which is a fundamental component of representative democracy.
“Therefore if the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights meets only selected political parties or groups who are contesting the PC elections during her visit to Sri Lanka, it will give that group(s) an unfair advantage” said CaFFE Executive Director, Keerthi Tennakoon.
Keerthi Tennakoon went on to say that CaFFE believes that if the High Commissioner desires to meet political parties or groups contesting for the up coming Northern Provincial Council Elections, she should give equal hearing opportunity for each party.
He finally stated that as the head of an organization mandated and bound to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, CaFFE expects Pillay to uphold the principal of equality that is an intrinsic aspect of natural justice. (Ceylon Today Online)
No army interference in polls (Audio)
August 23, 2013
Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya says there have not been any complaints of the army interfering in election work ahead of the provincial council elections in the north.Deshapriya, who was on a visit to the north, said that even voters have not made any specific compliant of army harassment or threats.
“In general by saying the army is intimidating voters in a particular area cannot be taken as a complaint. There needs to be a specific incident reported. But we have not got specific or detailed complaints,” he said.
He also said that the army can get involved in election related work to assist the police only if he makes a formal request to the police chief. But so far he has not made such a request.
Deshapriya also noted that illegal posters and cut-outs were not seen widely in the north as compared to the other two provinces.
He also said that transport and special election centres will be setup for displaced voters on election day.
Deshapriya said that based on the current conditions in the north he is confident the election for the Northern Prince will be free and fair. (Colombo Gazette)
