Why hold elections at all obstructing people’s free voting and Opposition campaigning ? asks UNP

(June 15, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Provincial Councilor and Organizer for the Anuradhapura East District Rahana Gamage speaking to the media at the UNP media unit today (15 Jun) said , UNP will never shy away from elections even if the Government uses all its power and resources to obstruct UNP ‘s campaign and election activities . The Govt. has decided to hold Municipal Council elections in the North , but creates an environment of fear and violence , and obstructs the election campaigning of the UNP , he added.

Citing an incident , where recently the Police obstructed those in Vavuniya to come to Anuradhapura for a UNP meeting in connection with the forthcoming elections, he said , despite all the obstacles and hurdles the Govt. may place and the violence it may resort to , the UNP will go on undeterred as a party representing all communities and religions with its election activities .
Already , like in the Eastern province elections , Govt. has started its campaign of violence and instilling fear into the UNP candidates and supporters using illegally armed groups. Two of the UNP candidates had been intimidated .. Complaints have been lodged with the Police , he added. The Candidates cannot travel freely nor can they organize their election activities, he pointed out.

The Elections Commissioner too has been notified of these trends which have been set in motion by the Govt. The Govt. thinks holding an elections is just stuffing the ballot boxes with votes by fair or foul means and declaring victory as in the past .It is very unfortunate that the Govt. which has descended to the lowest levels of lawlessness has failed to understand the fundamental purpose of elections which is an essential ingredient of Democracy. The Govt. which has taken over all the colors and qualities of despotism, perhaps has forgotten the basic tenets of Democracy , he observed.

He guaranteed that the UNP will win if elections are held in a Democratic manner , but what stands against its victory is Govt.’s unlawful and undemocratic activities which it carries out openly and without hindrance using its ruling power , he concluded.

-Sri Lanka Guardian