All ready for massive vote rigging in Jaffna

by Our Jaffna correspondent

(July 14, Jaffna, Sri Lanka Guardian) According to news reaching from an insider of the government backed paramilitary group EPDP operating in Jaffna under the leadership of the government Minister Douglas Devananda, the government is determined to change the trend of the Tamil voting in the local election by massive voting rigging plan already put in place to show the world that President Mahinda Rajapakse has won the hearts and mind of the Tamil people in the north.

The EPDP informant confirmed the government has channelled large amounts of funds to the paramilitary group EPDP to ensure government victory in the election.

The programme includes stuffing the ballot boxes on the Election Day and preventing those who support the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) from voting. EPDP leader has pulled all his resources to ensure victory and a detailed plan of action has been put in place. The EPDP cadres will be present at each and every polling booth and walkie-talkies and mobile phones are to be given to the cadres to approach and intimidate those found determined to vote for the TNA.

Paramilitary leader and the Minister Douglas Devananda is planned to visit many polling booths to ensure plan hatched is executed meticulously and to ensure his presence will prevent pro TNA voter turnout.

According to the source, pistols have been issued to EPDP cadres to use on issues detailed by the EPDP leader.

This information comes at the time when EPDP is engaged in a campaign of harassment to prevent the TNA from electioneering in the north. The election campaign of the EPDP is claimed to be spearheaded by the President’s brother and Minister Basil Rajapakse.