Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) General Secretary and former MP M.A. Sumanthiran has called on the National Election Commission to conduct an inquiry into the use of a temple’s premises for the election rally of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Jaffna recently.
Addressing the media, Sumanthiran said a complaint had been filed with the Election Commission in this regard, but no action has been taken yet.
“When a complaint was filed regarding PM Harini Amarasuriya’s election rally being held at a temple premises in Jaffna, Election Commission officials went to the site. But the PM’s security personnel did not allow the Election Commission officials to enter, and they returned. The National Election Commission has been granted powers to administer and oversee election activities in the country,” he said.
Sumanthiran challenged that if the National Election Commission had a backbone, then it would immediately take action in this regard, as it is vested with the relevant powers.
“Per the laws, following the announcement of an election, the Police Department falls under the purview of the Election Commission. The law and the Constitution state this. The Election Commission is not using any of these powers, even though it is an independent commission. As such, all these unlawful activities are taking place,” he said.
Stating that the Election Commission does not have the backbone to inquire or address these issues, Sumanthiran said the government, which has claimed to uphold good governance and the rule of law, is seen blatantly violating these within six months of power. (Newswire)