Centre for Policy Alternatives on 8 August, 2009

Media Communique 3: Uva Provincial Council Elections 2009

08th August 12:00 pm: The
Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) reports that as at 11am
a turnout of 30% from the Moneragala District and 40% from the Badulla
District has been recorded.

Attack and assault
An incident of assault was reported to CMEV by JVP M.P Samantha
Vidyarathana which took place at Polling station No. 01, Bathalayaya
Maha Vidyalaya (Hall No.1) Mahiyangana Polling Division, Badulla
District, at around 9.30 am. In the incident JVP candidate Wasantha
Kumara (Preferential No. 22) and six others including the driver
traveling in a vehicle (registration number LA-0370) were attacked by
supporters of UPFA candidate Anura Ravindra Widanagamage (Preferential
No. 6). The supporters allegedly had a T56 gun, iron bars and bicycle
chains. M.P. Vidyarathana reported that six people were injured but
were not taken to the hospital and that the windscreen of the vehicle
was damaged. A complaint had been lodged with the Girandurukotte Police
Station. M.P Vidyarathana claimed that Sub Inspector Janaka attached to
Mahiyangana Police station was an eye witness but that he did not take
any action. Girandurukotte Police confirmed that they received the
above complaint.

Campaigning during polling and transporting of voters
There were incidents of political parties campaigning and transporting
voters during the early hours of polling. Most of the incidents were
related to the UPFA alliance with a majority associated with UPFA
candidate Shashindra Rajapaksa and his supporters.

  • A CMEV monitor stationed in Bibile reported that at 7.30am leaflets
    of UPFA candidate Shashindra Rajapaksa (Preferential No. 13) were
    distributed by a van (HH1214) 50 meters near to the Hepola Junior
    School Polling Centre (No1), Bibile Polling Division,
    Moneragala District.
  • A CMEV field monitor reported that handbills of UPFA candidates
    Sujeewa Jayasinghe (Preferential No. 21), Manel Rathnayaka
    (Preferential No. 15), D.D.W Wickremaratne (Preferential No. 13) and
    Ajith Deshpriya Nilame Wickremaratne (Preferential No. 04) were
    distributed by a group of 10-15 people, 200 meters near to Polling
    Station No. 26, Katupelellegama Community Centre Polling Centre,
    Badulla Polling Division, Badulla District, at around 9.00am.
  • A CMEV mobile monitor reported that a van (WP PA 1108) pasted with
    posters of UPFA candidate Shashindra Rajapaksa (Preferential No. 13)
    was transporting voters to Polling Station No. 28, Ethimale Maha
    Vidyalaya Polling Centre, Moneragala District, at around 10.20am.
  • A CMEV field monitor reported that a beige pick-up truck pasted
    with posters of UPFA candidate Shashindra Rajapaksa (Preferential No.
    13) transported voters to Polling Station No. 45, Illukkumbura Primary
    School Polling Centre, Bibile Polling Division, Moneragala district, at
    around 10.35am.
  • A CMEV mobile monitor reported that two cabs (bearing number WPPD
    2084 and 58-6736) pasted with posters of UPFA candidate Shasheendra
    Rajapaksa (Preferential No. 13) were transporting voters to polling
    station No. 28, Ethimale Maha Vidyalaya (Hall No.1) Polling Centre,
    Moneragala Polling division, Moneragala district, around 10.35am.
  • A CMEV field monitor reported that four supporters of UPFA
    candidate Shashindra Rajapaksa (Preferential No. 13) were campaigning
    by the gate of Polling Centre No. 20, Pallwatta Maha Vidyalaya (Hall
    No.01) Polling Station, Wellawaya Polling Division, Moneragala
    District, at around 10.55am.
  • Leaflets of the Democratic Unity Alliance candidates Nirmala
    Dissnayake (Preferential No. 17) and Avan Appasamy (Preferential No.
    02) were distributed in front of  Polling Station No. 48,
    B/Guruthalawa, St. Thomas Vidyalaya, Welimada Polling Division, Badulla
    District, at around 9.05 am. According to a CMEV field monitor the
    incident took place within 500 meters of the polling station.

Voter issues
There were a few incidents reported to CMEV which demonstrated the
continuing lack of awareness among voters of the proper forms of
identification required to cast their vote.

The Senior Presiding Officer from Polling Station No. 27,
Kumbukgeyaya Eksath Paropakara Society Hall Polling Centre, Moneragala
Polling Division, Moneargala District, reported to CMEV that 27 voters
were not given the right to vote because they failed to produce valid
identification documents.

A CMEV field monitor reported that at Polling Station No. 14,
Badullagammana Junior School polling center, Bibile polling division,
Moneragala District at around 9.30am, a voter who attempted to use the
receipt for a national identity card application given by the Grama
Sevaka was not allowed to cast his vote.

A CMEV field monitor reported that at Polling Station No. 39,
Allekona Junior School Polling Centre, Bibile Polling Division; a voter
was not allowed to cast his vote as he produced a photograph certified
by the Grama Sevaka (G.S)

Media Communique 3: Uva Provincial Council Elections 2009

Centre for Policy Alternatives on 8 August, 2009

Media Communique 4: Jaffna MC & Vavuniya UC Elections 2009

Download the report as a PDF here.

8th August 12:00 pm: The Centre for Monitoring
Election Violence (CMEV) reports a low voter turn from Jaffna Municipal
Council (MC) and Vavuniya Urban Council (UC) elections. As of 10 a.m.
CMEV reports 6% from Jaffna and 12% from Vavuniya. CMEV had received 2
major incidents of assault and 2 minor incidents of election offences
with regard to Jaffna MC and Vavuniya UC elections as of 11 a.m.  Two
incidents of assault had been reported from Puttalam (Jaffna MC) and
Vavuniya.

SLMC candidate Assaulted in Vavuniya UC
An incident of assault was reported to CMEV at 7:30am close to Polling
Station No. 1, at the V/Muslim Maha Vidyalaya,
Pattanichichipuliyankulam (Hall No. 1). A.L.M Munawfar candidate for
the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (preferential candidate No.2) reported
that he had been assaulted after returning from the polling station and
casting his vote. A.L.M Munawfar reported that he was confronted by Mr.
Rishard Badurdeen (Minister of Resettlement & Leader of ACMC) who
questioned Munawfar as to what he was doing in the area and
subsequently slapped him. Mr. A.L.M Munawfar stated that he received no
injuries. The incident was reported to CMEV by Mr. A.L.M Munawfar.

CMEV contacted Mr. Rishard Badurdeen regarding the above incident,
and Mr. Badurdeen denied any involvement in the incident and the
involvement of his supporters.

TNA supporter assaulted in Puttalam
An incident of assault of an ITAK supporter was reported to CMEV at 8:00am at (JMC 01) 4th Mile Post Camp.
Mr. S.H.M Nasir, the driver of Mr. Mohammed Aleem  Jamaldeen
(preferential candidate No. 02) of the ITAK/TNA, was transporting the
relations of the candidate by van bearing registration Plate No.
252-1167. The gang proceeded to damage the vehicle mentioned above. The
gang responsible for the attack is alleged to be associated with
Minister Rishard Badurdeen (Minister of Resettlement and Leader of the
ACMC). Mr Nasir identified one of the gang members being M. Mujahir who
is associated with the Minister. The gang travelling in a white pick-up
truck stopped the above vehicle and assaulted the driver. Witnesses
present at the incident did not see the number plate of the vehicle.
Mr. S.H.M. Nasir has subsequently reported the incident to Puttalam
Police (CIB 0290/57) and informed CMEV that an estimated 75,000/= of
damages was caused to the vehicle. Puttalam police and T.M.W
Jayasundera, Police Sergeant, confirmed to CMEV that they have received
the complaint and further investigations are underway.

Propaganda during polling in Vavuniya
CMEV reports reveal incidents of continuous campaigning in Vavuniya by political parties during polling.

An incident of continuous campaigning was reported to CMEV’s mobile
monitoring team at 8:30am within the vicinity of Kalaimagal Community
Centre, Mannar Road, Vavuniya, Polling Station No. 4. A van bearing the
registration plate number 57-9219 & trishaw bearing registration
plate number QP -8564 were used to transport voters and paste
propaganda posters. The CMEV mobile monitoring team stated that the
UPFA betel leaf symbol was displayed on posters that were pasted on the
vehicle.

When the CMEV mobile monitoring team drove by the V/Tamil Madya Maha Vidyalaya, (Hall No. 1), Vavuniya, Polling
Station No. 10 at 7:25am, numerous election propaganda leaflets
belonging to Mr. Ranganathan Pathmanathan (Preferential No. 05) of the
UNP had been seen scattered in front of the polling station.

Media Communique 4: Jaffna MC & Vavuniya UC Elections 2009

Centre for Policy Alternatives on 8 August, 2009

Media Communique 3: Jaffna MC & Vavuniya UC Elections 2009

Download a PDF of this report here.

07th 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 8th.

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 06th 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 07th 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 (7th 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 8th 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

Centre for Policy Alternatives on 7 August, 2009

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

Download a PDF of this report here.

07th 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 8th.

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 06th 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 07th 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 (7th 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 8th 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