8 April 2010, Colombo, Sri
Lanka, 3pm: The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence
(CMEV) reported that as of 2pm on polling day, there was a turn -out of
35-40% across Sri Lanka with a low turn- out in Jaffna of around 10%.
There were several reports of threat and intimidation against voters and
polling agents. At present 75 Major incidents have been reported to
CMEV and 196 Minor incidents.
As reported in the Election Day communiqué 1, CMEV has continuously
received reports of discrepancies in the marking of fingers with
indelible ink. This is an issue of concern as it can lead to possible
malpractices and impact the integrity of the poll.
CMEV has also received several cases where posters and cutouts of
candidates from various parties have been seen near polling stations- a
violation of Election laws and guidelines which is disregarded by many
candidates and political parties across districts.
Prevention of Voting
Trincomalee district, Trincomalee electorate, Kuchchaveli,
Vivekananda Maha Vidyalayam, hall nos 1 and 2, polling stations (no. 80
and 81). 12:00pm
A complaint was made by U. Ravikumara, ACTC candidate (no. 4), to CMEV
that Susantha Punchinilame, UPFA candidate (no. 7) together with other
UPFA supporters were moving around with arms in a vehicle bearing the
license plate (62-6091) around these two polling stations, at noon. They
threatened and intimidated Tamil voters and demanded that they did not
vote.
CMEV reports that a busload of Tamil voters from Trincomalee Town
whose polling station is in Kutchaveli, were stopped in Irakandy by the
Police. The Police claimed that the bus did not have a route permit and
could not be permitted to transport voters. The voters got down and had
to find alternate modes of transport. CMEV spoke to the TNA who
confirmed the incident and further alleged that polling cards were
snatched from the voters. .
INTIMIDATION AND THREATS
TO VOTERS
Galle District, Hiniduma Electorate at 2.30am:
CMEV Field Monitor reported three incidents relating to the alleged
intimidation of supporters of UPFA candidate Nishantha Muthuhettigama
(no. 6). An unidentified group of individuals had come to the residence
of Amarasiri Abeysinghe a supporter living in Weerapana at 2.30 am and
threatened to kill him if he voted. They also inflicted minor damages to
the house. An unidentified group of individuals had fired into the
residence of PK Dharasana, a supporter of Muthuhettigama, in Damwala at
2.40 am and threatened to kill him if he voted. CMEV monitor reported
that the house of Chaminda Karunaratne in Talatgalla, another supporter
of Muthuhettigama had been attacked and some damage was done to the
windows of the house. Two shots were reportedly fired into the house at
around 3.10 am.
Kandy District, Nawalapitiya Electorate, Angolla Kanishta
Vidyalaya Polling Station, Polling Station no. 02.
CMEV Mobile Monitor reported that supporters of UPFA candidate
Mahindananda Aluthgamage (no. 4) had assaulted several Tamil voters,
forcibly taken their polling and Identity cards near the polling centre
and chased them out of the centre at around 10.30 am.
Vanni District, Mannar Electorate, Arippu Roman Catholic
Tamil Maha Vidyalayam, polling station no 47, 09.40 am:
CMEV field monitor reported that supporters of Rishard Badurdeen,
UPFA candidate (no. 1), were seen in white vans bearing registration
numbers JE 1020 and SR 1029 openly canvassing for Rishard Badurdeen .
They asked people to vote for him and distributed leaflets bearing his
name, symbol and number.
Hambantota District , Tissamaharam Electorate 9.00 am
CMEV Field Monitor reported that a double cab No JS-8969 with
supporters of UPFA candidate Chamal Rajapakse (no 7) was seen in the
area engaged in campaigning.
Digamadulla District, Samanthurai Polling Division
CMEV Field Monitor reports that announcement are being made via the
mosque loudspeakers urging potential voters ‘to go and vote, as the
names of those who have not voted can be identified.’ The announcements
were made between 1.30 pm and 2.00 pm.
THREAT TO POLLING AGENT
Digamadulla District, Pottuvil Electorate, Akkaraipattu
Cultural Centre, polling station no 84. 12:00pm:
CMEV Monitor reported that M.S. Rivas, a Polling Agent of the UNP,
was threatened and forcefully thrown out from the above center by
supporters of UPFA candidate A.L.M Attaullah (no. 02). M.S. Rivas
subsequently filed a complaint at the police station, bearing CIB
326/1020/2010/48.
CAMPAIGNING ON ELECTION
DAY
Ratnapura District, Pelmadulla Electorate,
MorathotaVidyalaya, Polling Station No 29: 9:00am
CMEV Mobile Team reported that leaflets containing the numbers of
UPFA candidate Deepal Gunasekera (no. 4) and UNP candidate Dunesh
Gankanda (no. 11) were being distributed near the polling station.
Anuradhapura District, Horowpathana Electorate, Muttarawewa
Vidyalaya Polling Station(No.06), 9:15 am
CMEV Mobile correspondent reported that a group of 50 supporters of
UPFA Pradeshiya Sabha member M. Hussain held a meeting near the polling
station and canvassed voters going to the polling station to vote for
the UPFA.
Anuradhapura District, Horowpathana Electorate, Ruwanwali
Maha Vidyalaya Polling Station (No. 09), 9:30am
CMEV Mobile Monitor in Horowpathana reported that cards displaying
the candidate number of UPFA candidate Duminda Dissanayake (no. 6) were
being distributed near the Polling Station by his supporters.
Anuradhapura District, Horowpathana Electorate, Sinhala
Walahawiddawewa Vidyalaya/Rathmalgahawewa Polling Station (No. 01), 9:45
am
CMEV Mobile Monitor, Horowpathana reported that some leaflets of UPFA
candidate Duminda Dissanayake (no.06) were being distributed near the
Polling Station by his supporters.
Vanni District, Mannar electorate, Roman Catholic Tamil
Mahavidyalayam, polling station no 51, hall no 03, at 10.25 am:
At the entrance of the polling station supporters of RizardBadurdeen
(no. 1) were seen distributing leaflets bearing his symbol and image.
Hambantota District, Lunugamwehera Electorate ,
OyagawaRanawarnawa Junior School, Polling Station No 115, 8.40am
CMEV Monitor reported that an enlarged laminated photograph of UPFA
Candidate Mahinda Amaraweera (no. 1) was visible close to the Polling
Station
Matara District ,Deniyaya Electorate , Pattigala Junior
School, Polling Station No 57, 8.30am
CMEV Field Monitor reported that there were small cutouts within 500
meters of the Polling Station, of UPFA Candidate Chandrasiri Gajadeera
(no. 8), UPFA Candidate Sanath Jayasuriya (no. 10) and UPFA Candidate
Lakshman Yapa Abewardena (no. 1)
Hambantota District , Tissamaharam Electorate ,
Angunukolawada Junior School , Polling Station No 111, 9.05am
CMEV Field Monitor reported that supporters of UPFA candidate Mahinda
Amaraweera (no.1) were seen pasting posters in the area.
TRANSPORTING VOTERS
Digamadulla District, Ampara Electorate, Ampara Gamini
MahaVidyalaya, polling station 127, 10.45 am
CMEV monitor reported that UPFA supporters were seen transporting
voters in vehicle bearing registration number 59-6860 to the above
polling station.
Jaffna district, Kankesanthurai Electorate, Seenipanthal
junction: polling stations Elavalai Holy Family Convent Maha Vidyalayam
06 and MareesanKoodal Roman Catholic Tamil School no 07 and Elavalai St
Henry’s College no 08, at 10.55 am:
CMEV Monitor reported that supporters of Douglas Devananda, UPFA
candidate (no. 08), were seen transporting voters in a blue van bearing
registration number NP – HS 7294 to the above polling stations.