by Ifham Nizam – The Island
The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) yesterday strongly emphasised the importance of the full implementation of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution as a mechanism for protecting the electoral process, particularly with regard to the violation of election laws and the abuse of State resources.
Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, Dr. Pakiyasothi Saravanamuthu told a press conference in Colombo that the CMEV believed that it was only through the establishment of independent commissions for Elections, Police and Public Service, the integrity of the electoral process could be protected.
He added: “We appeal to political parties to recognize their respective roles. All we ask political parties,the Government in particular to implement the constitution of the country.”
CMEV National Coordinator Attorney –at-Law Thusitha Siriwardena said they are concerned about the increase in violation of election laws, inaction of the Police to ensure the proper implementation of election laws and increased level of inter and intra party violence.
Citing the recently conducted SPC polls, he mentioned of the violence, particularly in polling divisions Hiniduma, Habaraduwa, Galle, Akmeemana, Baddegama in the Galle District, Kamburupitiya, Deniyaya, Weligama, Matara in the Matara District and Beliatta, Tissamaharama and Tangalle in the Hambanthota District.
“We urge authorities to take all measures to establish and ensure an atmosphere that would enable voters of the country to exercise their franchise freely without fear” he further said.
Responding to queries, he said overall he was not satisfied with the conduct of the Southern Provincial Council Election especially due to the abuse of state resources by the ruling party.
However, he said that believed that with the implementation of the 17th Amendment such illegal acts could be reduced drastically.
CMEV was formed in 1997 by the CPA, the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the Coalition against Political Violence as an independent and nonpartisan organization to monitor the incidence of election violence. Currently, CMEV is made up of CPA, FMM and INFORM and the Human Rights Documentation Centre.