Election monitoring body, the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has raised concerns over a special religious observance organized at the Kataragama Kiriviharaya this week to invoke blessings on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
In a letter to the Election Commission Chairman, PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said the Ministry of Public Affairs has informed all district and provincial secretaries to participate in the religious observance that has been organized for this Saturday (Aug 10).
Rohana Hettiarachchi pointed out that as district and provincial secretaries are appointed as district returning officers or assistant officers for the election, it was unlawful for them to attend any event related to the Prime Minister ahead of the upcoming election.
He further said that, if the district returning officers, who have a special role in the election process, participate in this kind of event, doubts will arise about them in the society, and the integrity of the election will be seriously affected.
If there is distrust among the other officials working under the district returning officers, such a situation can also negatively impact the election process, he pointed out.
The PAFFREL Executive Director said it is their opinion that the district returning officers, who play a crucial role in the election process, should not be called for the religious observance organized for the PM.
As such, Rohana Hettiarachchihas requested the National Election Commission to look into the matter and take appropriate measures. (Newswire)
