Wednesday, 27 August 2014 00:00
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With only weeks remaining ahead of the Uva election, an explosion of poll violence was witnessed when 18 opposition election campaign offices in the Moneragala District were attacked within just 24 hours, bringing the total number of election violation complaints to 74 thus far.
Election monitors have earmarked 13 UNP, four JVP and one Democratic Party (DP) offices, allegedly attacked by the ruling party during this period. Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) issuing a strongly worded statement insisted Opposition candidates, supporters and the general public in Moneragala district now fear for their lives as armed groups attacked 18 Opposition election offices in the last 24 hours.
Some of the worst attacks took place in the Bibile Police area where allegedly armed groups carried out a series of attacks for over six hours starting from the dawn of 24 August. CaFFE observers report that these groups acted with impunity and no action was taken to arrest them. Photos of empty bullet cases were also found at these venues.
CaFFE has also received reports that anonymous threats have been made for organisers to remove the UNP office in Parana Alupotha, Badalkumbura. There are 24 legitimate UNP offices in Bibile, out of which 13 have been attacked already.
Last week the JVP office in Sellakataragama was destroyed and JVP members had been assaulted by a group allegedly led by the Kataragama Provincial Council Chairman. Two injured JVPers had been admitted to Kataragama hospital. Meanwhile office of DP Moneragala candidate Saman Kumara Abeyrathne at Moneragala Road, Bibile was attacked at 3:15 a.m. on 24 August by armed groups and threatened the candidate.
Monitors have warned violent attacks have created a fear psychosis among opposition activists in Moneragala. CaFFE has received 74 complaints by Monday with recent events raising fears the situation will get much worse before polling day.
Opposition parties have already slammed the Elections Commissioner and Police Chief over impunity enjoyed by candidates contesting under the betel leaf, charging the officials’ apathy is responsible for the deteriorating situation. Earlier three election monitoring groups urged the IGP, in addition to providing for the security of election officials, to act decisively in respect of the misuse and abuse of public property and State resources as well as of MSD personnel and vehicles.
In the aftermath of the northern polls, the Commonwealth Mission pointed out the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, enacted in 2010, has undermined the constitutional and legal framework for a credible and competitive election, particularly the provision for an independent Electoral Commission has been negated.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) echoed these sentiments with former Indian Chief Commissioner of Elections N. Gopalswami, who headed the monitoring group, calling for the Elections Commissioner to be empowered, insisting that such overarching authority is the best hope for genuinely free and fair elections. With no changes in such crucial areas, Uva elections are likely to get attention for all the wrong reasons.
It is clear the absence of an independent election commission is made worse by the similar lack of a police commission as independent officials are key to running free and fair elections. As the ruling party continues to morph all institutions into their power structure, the hope for a genuine people’s verdict becomes even fainter.
