Polls violations before HRCSL

Thursday, 18 December 2014 00:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Complaints have been filed with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) with regards to pre-election violations, including the misuse of Government property. The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) are among those who filed complaints today with the HRCSL on the use of Government buses, Road Development Authority (RDA) officials and Government vehicles for election work, in violations of election laws. Meanwhile the HRCSL said that it has been reported to the commission that some political party candidates have been denied the opportunity to use certain places, grounds and halls within the control of local Government authorities. The reason for such refusal is that such places are reserved for other activities not related to the election. HRCSL said that all commissioners and secretaries of local government authorities in their capacity as public officials have the responsibility to act in conformity with election laws, the Constitution of Sri Lanka and other laws in force. Therefore, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has forwarded written advice and directions to all commissioners and secretaries of local government authorities in Sri Lanka to uphold the law to enable the conduct of a free and fair election. (Colombo Gazette)

Bar Association files suit against three local governments

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has taken legal action against three local governments for failing to remove the illegal hoardings and posters erected in their city limits. The legal body has filed a law suit against Colombo, Kaduwela and Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Municipal Councils after they failed to remove illegal posters and cut-outs pasted in the city limits targeting presidential election. The BASL has earlier written to the Urban Commissioner of the Colombo Municipal Council demanding to remove the unauthorised hoardings erected within the capital city. The Bar Association gave time until Monday to remove all the election campaign hoardings from the nation’s capital and suburbs before it took legal action.