Transparency International Sri Lanka has observed the misuse of public property even today the day of elections [21-9-2013] to the provincial councils of Northwestern, Central and Northern provinces.
We have taken necessary steps to inform the Commissioner of elections of our observations.
The instances of misuse of public property as observed by us are as follows.
Northern Province
Vavunia District
Sampathnuwara
Vehicle numbered HG 9195 of the Mdewachchiya Pradeshiya Sabah was observed carrying voters to the Polling station located at Sampathnuwara Vidyalaya in the Vavuniya District.
Central Province
Kandy District
Yatinuwara
Officers attached to the Prime Minister’s Security division were observed distributing handbills to voters using vehicle numbered GM 2178.
Central Province
Kandy District
Nawalapitiya
Candidate Ananda Aluthgamage using vehicles WPC 130605, Red colored Mitshubishi L200 251- 7884, PC 3547, WP PA 5564 and 250 – 5796 for distributing handbills. Our observers received information that some of these vehicles belong to the state.
Central Province
Kandy District
Gampola
The use of the two white Defender jeeps bearing numbers KH 117 and KP 9371 of the Security Division of the Prime Minister together with 14 Security Officers for the electioneering activities of the UPFA candidate Anuradha Jayaratne. Candidate Anuradha Jayaratne was using the vehicles and officers of the Security Division of the Prime Minister to visit polling stations and influencing voters.
Central Province
Matale District
Kumbaloluwa
Samurdhi Officers using vehicle numbered 54-4080 of the Ministry of Fisheries to influence voters in the Kumabaloluwa area to vote for the UPFA.
Northern Province
Jaffna District
Today we received information of groups remaining at polling stations attempting to influence voters by various means. The Police and the Army had neither investigated nor prevented the activities of these Sinhala speaking groups. Therefore the voters have perceived them as members of the armed forces.