Download a PDF of this report here.

07^th August, Colombo, Sri Lanka Sine the close
of nominations on 24 June 2009, the Centre for Monitoring Election
Violence (CMEV) has confirmed 08 incidents of election related violence
with regards to the elections to the Jaffna Municipal Council and
Vavuniya Urban Council.

Of these incidents, 03 assaults and 02 threats had been reported
from Jaffna MC while 01 assault, 01 incident of intimidation and 01
threat have been recorded from Vavunniya UC. The UPFA alliance was
directly accused of being responsible for 06 incidents whereas the TULF
and the DPLF were each accused of one incident each.

Jaffna Municipal Council
TNA parliamentarian, Gajendran Ponnambalam reported to CMEV that
anonymous threatening telephone calls were made to Tamils living abroad
to the effect that their relatives who reside in Jaffna should not vote
on the 8^th.

CMEV received reports that approximately 3,000 polling cards were
seized from voters in Navalthurai area. TULF mayoral candidate Ananda
Sangari told CMEV that he had received similar information and was
making further inquiries. He also alleged that EPDP supporters had
procured polling cards for cash from voters.

CMEV contacted the Assistant Election Commissioner’s office Jaffna,
Chief Clerk N.B. Navaratnam, reported to CMEV that according to the
records they received from the Jaffna Post Office 40,390 polling cards
remain undelivered as of 06^th August at 12.30pm. The ballots cards can be collected by voters up to 3 pm on polling day.

UNP Parliamanetarian Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana reported to CMEV that
the Jaffna Chief Post Master, A.Yoganayagam told him that 3,774 polling
cards have been distributed on the 07^th to people who were
able to prove their identity. He suspected that some irregularities
could have happened in the distribution. ITAK authorized polling agent,
S.X. Kulanayagam alleged that 5,000 polling cards had been stolen from
the Jaffna Post office by an unknown group. CMEV was unable to verify
these allegations with the Jaffna Post Master. Kulanayagam claimed that
ITAK had received information that the UPFA was preparing forged
documents for electoral malpractice and that they had brought special
equipment to Jaffna for this purpose from Colombo.

CMEV contacted UPFA mayoral candidate, K. Theventhiram who rejected
the allegations and claimed that EPDP party leader, Minister Douglas
Devananda has strictly instructed candidates and members not to get
involved in any violence or malpractices but to ensure a free and fair
election, which reflected the peoples’ verdict. He further noted that
the UPFA has not got involved in any violence during the election
campaign.

CMEV field monitors reported that campaign posters have not been
removed. Instead tar has been applied on the symbol and the
preferential numbers. Displaying posters in spaces apart from approved
political party offices and candidates home is an election offence
according to the section 81B of Local Authorities Elections Ordinance
of no 53 of 1946

Vavuniya
Continuing campaigning activities are reported from the field. TNA
Parliamentarian Shivashakthi Anandan told CMEV that supporters of
Minister Rishad Badiudeen are continuing their campaigning for the UPFA
in the Pandarikulam area. M.P Anandan also claimed that UPFA (Sri TELO)
candidate, P.Udayarasa (candidate no 09) conducted a meeting in
Srinagar area at around 06.00pm today (7^th August).

CMEV field monitors report that campaigning activities still
continues in Pattanichchoori area by ACMC (constituent party of UPFA)
and SLMC supporters targeting the Muslim voters

CMEV received reports that posters and banners have been removed by
the Vavuniya Police and some of the posters had been tarred in the town
areas. It is reported that Vavuniya Police urged the public through
loud speakers in the evening hours not to commit violence.

100,417 voters from Jaffna Municipal Council and 24,626 voters from Vavuniya Urban Council will poll on 8^th August. 68 Polling stations have been set up for Jaffna MC and 18 for
Vavuniya UC apart from 16 cluster booths for Jaffna MC. CMEV will
deploy 46 stationary monitors and four mobile teams to monitor the
Jaffna MC and Vavuniya UC Elections.

Taking into account all the allegations, CMEV is of the view that
the huge difference between the actual number of voters and registered
voters and the absence of voters’ NIC numbers on the polling
cards/electoral register would increase the possibility for the
malpractices. CMEV calls up on all the political parties and the
authorities to ensure the integrity of the polls.

Media Communique 3: Jaffna MC & Vavuniya UC Elections 2009

Media Communique 2: Uva Provincial Council Election ? August 2009

Download a PDF of this report here.

07^th August, Colombo, Sri Lanka Sine the close
of nominations on 24 June 2009, the Centre for Monitoring Election
Violence (CMEV) has confirmed 08 incidents of election related violence
with regards to the elections to the Jaffna Municipal Council and
Vavuniya Urban Council.

Of these incidents, 03 assaults and 02 threats had been reported
from Jaffna MC while 01 assault, 01 incident of intimidation and 01
threat have been recorded from Vavunniya UC. The UPFA alliance was
directly accused of being responsible for 06 incidents whereas the TULF
and the DPLF were each accused of one incident each.

Jaffna Municipal Council
TNA parliamentarian, Gajendran Ponnambalam reported to CMEV that
anonymous threatening telephone calls were made to Tamils living abroad
to the effect that their relatives who reside in Jaffna should not vote
on the 8^th.

CMEV received reports that approximately 3,000 polling cards were
seized from voters in Navalthurai area. TULF mayoral candidate Ananda
Sangari told CMEV that he had received similar information and was
making further inquiries. He also alleged that EPDP supporters had
procured polling cards for cash from voters.

CMEV contacted the Assistant Election Commissioner’s office Jaffna,
Chief Clerk N.B. Navaratnam, reported to CMEV that according to the
records they received from the Jaffna Post Office 40,390 polling cards
remain undelivered as of 06^th August at 12.30pm. The ballots cards can be collected by voters up to 3 pm on polling day.

UNP Parliamanetarian Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana reported to CMEV that
the Jaffna Chief Post Master, A.Yoganayagam told him that 3,774 polling
cards have been distributed on the 07^th to people who were
able to prove their identity. He suspected that some irregularities
could have happened in the distribution. ITAK authorized polling agent,
S.X. Kulanayagam alleged that 5,000 polling cards had been stolen from
the Jaffna Post office by an unknown group. CMEV was unable to verify
these allegations with the Jaffna Post Master. Kulanayagam claimed that
ITAK had received information that the UPFA was preparing forged
documents for electoral malpractice and that they had brought special
equipment to Jaffna for this purpose from Colombo.

CMEV contacted UPFA mayoral candidate, K. Theventhiram who rejected
the allegations and claimed that EPDP party leader, Minister Douglas
Devananda has strictly instructed candidates and members not to get
involved in any violence or malpractices but to ensure a free and fair
election, which reflected the peoples’ verdict. He further noted that
the UPFA has not got involved in any violence during the election
campaign.

CMEV field monitors reported that campaign posters have not been
removed. Instead tar has been applied on the symbol and the
preferential numbers. Displaying posters in spaces apart from approved
political party offices and candidates home is an election offence
according to the section 81B of Local Authorities Elections Ordinance
of no 53 of 1946

Vavuniya
Continuing campaigning activities are reported from the field. TNA
Parliamentarian Shivashakthi Anandan told CMEV that supporters of
Minister Rishad Badiudeen are continuing their campaigning for the UPFA
in the Pandarikulam area. M.P Anandan also claimed that UPFA (Sri TELO)
candidate, P.Udayarasa (candidate no 09) conducted a meeting in
Srinagar area at around 06.00pm today (7^th August).

CMEV field monitors report that campaigning activities still
continues in Pattanichchoori area by ACMC (constituent party of UPFA)
and SLMC supporters targeting the Muslim voters

CMEV received reports that posters and banners have been removed by
the Vavuniya Police and some of the posters had been tarred in the town
areas. It is reported that Vavuniya Police urged the public through
loud speakers in the evening hours not to commit violence.

100,417 voters from Jaffna Municipal Council and 24,626 voters from Vavuniya Urban Council will poll on 8^th August. 68 Polling stations have been set up for Jaffna MC and 18 for
Vavuniya UC apart from 16 cluster booths for Jaffna MC. CMEV will
deploy 46 stationary monitors and four mobile teams to monitor the
Jaffna MC and Vavuniya UC Elections.

Taking into account all the allegations, CMEV is of the view that
the huge difference between the actual number of voters and registered
voters and the absence of voters’ NIC numbers on the polling
cards/electoral register would increase the possibility for the
malpractices. CMEV calls up on all the political parties and the
authorities to ensure the integrity of the polls

###

CMEV was formed in 1997 by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA),
the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the Coalition against Political
Violence as an independent and nonpartisan organization to monitor the
incidence of election related violence. Currently, CMEV is made up of
CPA, FMM and INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre

Monitoring election violence in Sri Lanka Media Communique 3: Jaffna MC & Vavuniya UC Elections 2009

Download a PDF of this report here.

Puttalam: On 04^th August at 02.00pm a
meeting was held in Ibnu Bathutha Memorial Hall (IBM), Puttalm to
distribute dry ration cards to IDPs. The CMEV field monitor reported
that four UPFA candidates addressed the meeting namely Ajmain Asfer
(candidate no 01), M.M. Ramees (candidate no 19), M.M. Musthafa
(candidate no 21) and Asker Roomi Badurdeen (candidate no 04).

Mayoral Candidate of Independent Group 01, Moulavi S. Suffiyan told
CMEV that dry ration cards are usually distributed through the Grama
Niladaharis and that this meeting was organized by the ruling alliance
to influence voters in their favour. He also told CMEV that A. Risad
Badhiutheen, Minister of Re-settlement and Disaster Relief Services was
supposed to attend the meeting

S.R.M.M. Irshad, Parliamentary Secretary to the minister, told CMEV
that the meeting was arranged by the Secretariat for Northern Displaced
Muslims (SNDM) and neither the candidates nor the minister attended the
meeting and instead alleged that a few candidates of Ind. Group no 01
had distributed propaganda leaflets at the entrance.

On 04^th August at around 8.45pm a group of supporters of
Independent Group No.01 were assaulted by a group of ACMC (UPFA)
supporters while they were engaging in canvassing in the Good Shed
road, Puttalam. Ind. group candidate, M.B. Nawas Deen (candidate no 18)
had made a complaint (CIB 02/35/21) to Puutalam Police station on this
account. The assault resulted in damage to a three wheeler (WP HN 6702)
and the estimated loss is Rs.20, 000/=, according to the candidate.

Ariyalai: On 01^st of August at around
12.00pm UPFA candidate, Mr A.M. Mangalanesan (candidate no 03) was
assaulted by a group of TULF supporters at his residence located at,
Ariyalai, Jaffna. He was admitted to ward no 29 of the Jaffna General
Hospital and discharged after treatment.

A complaint (EIB/03/2009) had been lodged with Jaffna Police
Station. SI Thialakasiri told to CMEV that 03 TULF candidates and 06
supporters were arrested by the Police on 01^st August and bailed out on 03^rd August.

Forged Applications

During the lead up to the Jaffna MC Elections there have been
allegations of attempts to vote illegally. It has been alleged that a
number of displaced voter applications have been forged. A number of
applications had been forwarded to the Election Commissioner prior to
the 30^th June deadline set by the Election Commission for displaced voters with forged details.

While these applications had the signatures of GSs W.P.M. Servier,
GS for Ratmalyaya division, C. Roshan, GS for Palavi and N.M. Rasmy, GS
for Thillayadi, they were apparently forged.  The Assistant Election
Commissioner A.O.M. Nafeel, told CMEV that though the applications had
initially been accepted, the Election Commission had subsequently found
out that the details used in the applications were false and after the
inspection a number of such applications were identified and polling
cards were not sent to these applicants. He stated that as a result the
Election Commission had removed 488 names from the electoral register
and informed the S.P.Os in this regard

A total of 41,747 polling cards remain undelivered in the Jaffna
Post office as the recipients do not reside at the addresses on the
cards. The Returning Officer, Jaffna has informed the voters that they
could collect their polling cards from the Post Office until 3.00pm of 8^th August (polling day). CMEV identified in its field visit report that
there are a large number of voters in Jaffna who do not reside in the
peninsula and is deeply concerned that this could lead to electoral
malpractices.

CMEV learnt that some 2, 622 people from the Jaffna camps and 130
people from camps in Vavuniya were resettled yesterday. A large release
ceremony was held at Durraipah Stadium, Jaffna attended by
parliamentarian and senior advisor to the President, Basil Rajapaksa on
05^th August at 02.00pm CMEV notes that the releases have a
bearing on the elections and calls on the Government to uphold the
rights of the IDPs without exploiting their situation for possible
political gain.

Vavuniya Urban Council Elections

On 03^rd August at around 5.15pm TNA (ITAK) candidates, A.
Nagarasa (candidate no 02) and M.M. Rathan, (candidate no 14) were
threatened and prevented from campaigning in Kurumankaadu area by a
group of EROS (UPFA) supporters in two Dolphin Vans. The group was led
by EROS leader, R. Prabakaran (Praba) and EROS Organizer, Northern
Province, Sarawanabhawananthan Jeganathan (Dhusyanthan). A TNA (ITAK),
supporter had been also assaulted in the incident. A. Nagarasa made a
complaint (EIB/30/08) to Vavuniya Police on the same date.

TNA parliamentarian, Sivashakthi Anandan alleged to CMEV that their
campaign activities are systematically obstructed by the ruling party
alliance and DPLF (PLOTE), and that they had not been allowed to
campaign in many areas including Kurumankadu, Thirunavatkulam,
Rambakulam, Kovilkulam and Velikulam.

CMEV contacted EROS leader R. Prabakaran, who stated that he did not
obstruct TNA supporters but asked them not to paste posters on the wall
of the residence of Sarawanabhawananthan Jeganathan

When CMEV contacted Vavuniya Police, K.J. Ratnapala, PC stated that further investigations are going on in this regard.

Two polling stations of Vavuniya UC gazetted on June 30^th namely V/Saivapragasa Ladies College (Polling Centre No 08) and
V/Thandikulam Pramandu Vidyalaya, Hall No 01 (Polling Centre No 18)
have been replaced by the Conference Hall of Agriculture Department,
Vavuniya and Agriculture School, Thandikulam respectively, as the
Commissioner is unable to conduct the polls in the previous stations
because the stations are used for accommodating Vanni IDPs.

Assistant Election Commissioner, Vavuniya, A.S. Karunanidhi told
CMEV that a gazette notification will be published soon and the
concerned voters will be informed by loud speakers and print and
electronic medias. He further stated that notices would be displayed in
public places regarding this.

CMEV field reports reveal that although political parties have
intensified their campaigning, voters seem relatively disinterested and
continue to concentrate on their day to day activities.

CMEV was formed in 1997 by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA),
the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the Coalition against Political
Violence as an independent and nonpartisan organization to monitor the
incidence of election related violence. Currently, CMEV is made up of
CPA, FMM and INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre.

Media Communique 2: Jaffna MC & Vavuniya UC Elections 2009

Article on the censorship in post-war Sri Lanka by Sanjana Hattotuwa, published in Montage, August 2009.

The growing censorship in Sri Lanka