Forces attempt to obtain details of polling centres from Assistant Election Commissioner: CMEV

Monday, 5 January 2015 00:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) said yesterday that the Assistant Election Commissioner of Mullaitivu R. Saslaian reported that he was requested to provide details of the polling centres of the Mullaitivu electorate, specifically the number of voters per polling station. According to Saslaian, two persons from the Navy approached him on 1 January requesting the above information. Saslaian refused this request on the basis that he is not authorised to disclose it. Saslaian informed the officers that if they wish to get this information they would have to obtain a letter of authorisation from the Election Commissioner. On 2 January the same individuals had arrived at the Department of Elections, Mullaitivu and repeated the request, having identified themselves as being from the Nandikadal Navy Camp. Saslaian had denied the request for the second time. On 3 January an unidentified individual telephoned Saslaian and requested the same information. Subsequently two Army officers approached Saslaian and stated that Major Mendis had sent them to obtain the said details. Saslaian denied this request, too. According to Saslaian, the individuals had stated that the information requested was required for security purposes. He further stated that the information had already been made available to the Police, and that the Army and the Navy are not entitled to receive it unless the Election Commissioner granted written permission. CMEV states that it is incongruous for the Army and Navy to request for information for “security purposes”. There has been no public statement by any of the officials involved that the Army and Navy have been requested to support the Police to provide security on Election Day.

Two remanded for possession of fake ballot papers

Two suspects who were arrested for possessing fake ballot papers have been remanded, People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said. Nawagaththegama Police have arrested the two suspects who are residents of Nawagaththegama area with the fake ballot papers. It is not yet known how the suspects obtained the fake ballot papers. Nawagaththegama Police are conducting further investigations. Meanwhile, another election monitor, Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) reported that since 20 November it has recorded a total of 333 election violence incidents out of which 191 were major violent incidents including two attempted murders.

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