Author name: Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV)

The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) comprises CPA, the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the Coalition Against Political Violence.

Media Communique 3: Jaffna MC & Vavuniya UC Elections 2009

Media reports, Press Reports /

Download a PDF of this report here. 07th August, Colombo, Sri Lanka Sine the close of nominations on 24 June 2009, the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) has confirmed 08 incidents of election related violence with regards to the elections to the Jaffna Municipal Council and Vavuniya Urban Council. Of these incidents, 03 assaults and 02 threats had been reported from Jaffna MC while 01 assault, 01 incident of intimidation and 01 threat have been recorded from Vavunniya UC. The UPFA alliance was directly accused of being responsible for 06 incidents whereas the TULF and the DPLF were each accused of one incident each. Jaffna Municipal Council TNA parliamentarian, Gajendran Ponnambalam reported to CMEV that anonymous threatening telephone calls were made to Tamils living abroad to the effect that their relatives who reside in Jaffna should not vote on the 8th. CMEV received reports that approximately 3,000 polling cards were seized from voters in Navalthurai area. TULF mayoral candidate Ananda Sangari told CMEV that he had received similar information and was making further inquiries. He also alleged that EPDP supporters had procured polling cards for cash from voters. CMEV contacted the Assistant Election Commissioner’s office Jaffna, Chief Clerk N.B. Navaratnam, reported to CMEV that according to the records they received from the Jaffna Post Office 40,390 polling cards remain undelivered as of 06th August at 12.30pm. The ballots cards can be collected by voters up to 3 pm on polling day. UNP Parliamanetarian Dr. Jayalath Jayawardana reported to CMEV that the Jaffna Chief Post Master, A.Yoganayagam told him that 3,774 polling cards have been distributed on the 07th to people who were able to prove their identity. He suspected that some irregularities could have happened in the distribution. ITAK authorized polling agent, S.X. Kulanayagam alleged that 5,000 polling cards had been stolen from the Jaffna Post office by an unknown group. CMEV was unable to verify these allegations with the Jaffna Post Master. Kulanayagam claimed that ITAK had received information that the UPFA was preparing forged documents for electoral malpractice and that they had brought special equipment to Jaffna for this purpose from Colombo. CMEV contacted UPFA mayoral candidate, K. Theventhiram who rejected the allegations and claimed that EPDP party leader, Minister Douglas Devananda has strictly instructed candidates and members not to get involved in any violence or malpractices but to ensure a free and fair election, which reflected the peoples’ verdict. He further noted that the UPFA has not got involved in any violence during the election campaign. CMEV field monitors reported that campaign posters have not been removed. Instead tar has been applied on the symbol and the preferential numbers. Displaying posters in spaces apart from approved political party offices and candidates home is an election offence according to the section 81B of Local Authorities Elections Ordinance of no 53 of 1946 Vavuniya Continuing campaigning activities are reported from the field. TNA Parliamentarian Shivashakthi Anandan told CMEV that supporters of Minister Rishad Badiudeen are continuing their campaigning for the UPFA in the Pandarikulam area. M.P Anandan also claimed that UPFA (Sri TELO) candidate, P.Udayarasa (candidate no 09) conducted a meeting in Srinagar area at around 06.00pm today (7th August). CMEV field monitors report that campaigning activities still continues in Pattanichchoori area by ACMC (constituent party of UPFA) and SLMC supporters targeting the Muslim voters CMEV received reports that posters and banners have been removed by the Vavuniya Police and some of the posters had been tarred in the town areas. It is reported that Vavuniya Police urged the public through loud speakers in the evening hours not to commit violence. 100,417 voters from Jaffna Municipal Council and 24,626 voters from Vavuniya Urban Council will poll on 8th August. 68 Polling stations have been set up for Jaffna MC and 18 for Vavuniya UC apart from 16 cluster booths for Jaffna MC. CMEV will deploy 46 stationary monitors and four mobile teams to monitor the Jaffna MC and Vavuniya UC Elections. Taking into account all the allegations, CMEV is of the view that the huge difference between the actual number of voters and registered voters and the absence of voters’ NIC numbers on the polling cards/electoral register would increase the possibility for the malpractices. CMEV calls up on all the political parties and the authorities to ensure the integrity of the polls ### CMEV was formed in 1997 by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the Coalition against Political Violence as an independent and nonpartisan organization to monitor the incidence of election related violence. Currently, CMEV is made up of CPA, FMM and INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre

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Media Communique 2: Jaffna MC & Vavuniya UC Elections 2009

Media reports, Press Releases, Situation Updates /

Download a PDF of this report here. Puttalam: On 04th August at 02.00pm a meeting was held in Ibnu Bathutha Memorial Hall (IBM), Puttalm to distribute dry ration cards to IDPs. The CMEV field monitor reported that four UPFA candidates addressed the meeting namely Ajmain Asfer (candidate no 01), M.M. Ramees (candidate no 19), M.M. Musthafa (candidate no 21) and Asker Roomi Badurdeen (candidate no 04). Mayoral Candidate of Independent Group 01, Moulavi S. Suffiyan told CMEV that dry ration cards are usually distributed through the Grama Niladaharis and that this meeting was organized by the ruling alliance to influence voters in their favour. He also told CMEV that A. Risad Badhiutheen, Minister of Re-settlement and Disaster Relief Services was supposed to attend the meeting S.R.M.M. Irshad, Parliamentary Secretary to the minister, told CMEV that the meeting was arranged by the Secretariat for Northern Displaced Muslims (SNDM) and neither the candidates nor the minister attended the meeting and instead alleged that a few candidates of Ind. Group no 01 had distributed propaganda leaflets at the entrance. On 04th August at around 8.45pm a group of supporters of Independent Group No.01 were assaulted by a group of ACMC (UPFA) supporters while they were engaging in canvassing in the Good Shed road, Puttalam. Ind. group candidate, M.B. Nawas Deen (candidate no 18) had made a complaint (CIB 02/35/21) to Puutalam Police station on this account. The assault resulted in damage to a three wheeler (WP HN 6702) and the estimated loss is Rs.20, 000/=, according to the candidate. Ariyalai: On 01st of August at around 12.00pm UPFA candidate, Mr A.M. Mangalanesan (candidate no 03) was assaulted by a group of TULF supporters at his residence located at, Ariyalai, Jaffna. He was admitted to ward no 29 of the Jaffna General Hospital and discharged after treatment. A complaint (EIB/03/2009) had been lodged with Jaffna Police Station. SI Thialakasiri told to CMEV that 03 TULF candidates and 06 supporters were arrested by the Police on 01st August and bailed out on 03rd August. Forged Applications During the lead up to the Jaffna MC Elections there have been allegations of attempts to vote illegally. It has been alleged that a number of displaced voter applications have been forged. A number of applications had been forwarded to the Election Commissioner prior to the 30th June deadline set by the Election Commission for displaced voters with forged details. While these applications had the signatures of GSs W.P.M. Servier, GS for Ratmalyaya division, C. Roshan, GS for Palavi and N.M. Rasmy, GS for Thillayadi, they were apparently forged.  The Assistant Election Commissioner A.O.M. Nafeel, told CMEV that though the applications had initially been accepted, the Election Commission had subsequently found out that the details used in the applications were false and after the inspection a number of such applications were identified and polling cards were not sent to these applicants. He stated that as a result the Election Commission had removed 488 names from the electoral register and informed the S.P.Os in this regard A total of 41,747 polling cards remain undelivered in the Jaffna Post office as the recipients do not reside at the addresses on the cards. The Returning Officer, Jaffna has informed the voters that they could collect their polling cards from the Post Office until 3.00pm of 8th August (polling day). CMEV identified in its field visit report that there are a large number of voters in Jaffna who do not reside in the peninsula and is deeply concerned that this could lead to electoral malpractices. CMEV learnt that some 2, 622 people from the Jaffna camps and 130 people from camps in Vavuniya were resettled yesterday. A large release ceremony was held at Durraipah Stadium, Jaffna attended by parliamentarian and senior advisor to the President, Basil Rajapaksa on 05th August at 02.00pm CMEV notes that the releases have a bearing on the elections and calls on the Government to uphold the rights of the IDPs without exploiting their situation for possible political gain. Vavuniya Urban Council Elections On 03rd August at around 5.15pm TNA (ITAK) candidates, A. Nagarasa (candidate no 02) and M.M. Rathan, (candidate no 14) were threatened and prevented from campaigning in Kurumankaadu area by a group of EROS (UPFA) supporters in two Dolphin Vans. The group was led by EROS leader, R. Prabakaran (Praba) and EROS Organizer, Northern Province, Sarawanabhawananthan Jeganathan (Dhusyanthan). A TNA (ITAK), supporter had been also assaulted in the incident. A. Nagarasa made a complaint (EIB/30/08) to Vavuniya Police on the same date. TNA parliamentarian, Sivashakthi Anandan alleged to CMEV that their campaign activities are systematically obstructed by the ruling party alliance and DPLF (PLOTE), and that they had not been allowed to campaign in many areas including Kurumankadu, Thirunavatkulam, Rambakulam, Kovilkulam and Velikulam. CMEV contacted EROS leader R. Prabakaran, who stated that he did not obstruct TNA supporters but asked them not to paste posters on the wall of the residence of Sarawanabhawananthan Jeganathan When CMEV contacted Vavuniya Police, K.J. Ratnapala, PC stated that further investigations are going on in this regard. Two polling stations of Vavuniya UC gazetted on June 30th namely V/Saivapragasa Ladies College (Polling Centre No 08) and V/Thandikulam Pramandu Vidyalaya, Hall No 01 (Polling Centre No 18) have been replaced by the Conference Hall of Agriculture Department, Vavuniya and Agriculture School, Thandikulam respectively, as the Commissioner is unable to conduct the polls in the previous stations because the stations are used for accommodating Vanni IDPs. Assistant Election Commissioner, Vavuniya, A.S. Karunanidhi told CMEV that a gazette notification will be published soon and the concerned voters will be informed by loud speakers and print and electronic medias. He further stated that notices would be displayed in public places regarding this. CMEV field reports reveal that although political parties have intensified their campaigning, voters seem relatively disinterested and continue to concentrate on their day to day activities. CMEV was formed in 1997 by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), the Free Media Movement

Media Communique 2: Jaffna MC & Vavuniya UC Elections 2009 Read More »

Report of CMEV field visit to Vavuniya, 30th July 2009

Final Reports, Press Reports, Situation Updates /

The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) made a fact finding visit to Vavuniya from 23-24th July to assess the situation there with regard to the Urban Council Election on 8 May 2009. CMEV met with political party leaders, candidates, the Assistant Election Commissioner, Police, members of the Bar Association, Chamber of Commerce, Civil Society leaders, activists and members of the general public. One hundred and thirty five (135) candidates from six political parties and three independent groups are contesting the election for the 11 seat Vavuniya Urban Council. Most of the political parties engage in house to house visits, pocket meetings and campaigning in vehicle convoys using loudspeakers. Posters and cutouts of all political parties except the Sri Lanka Progressive Front and independent groups can be seen almost everywhere. Download the full report here.

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Report of CMEV field visit to Jaffna, 30th July 2009

Final Reports, Press Releases, Press Reports, Situation Updates /

The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) visited Jaffna from the 19 -22 July 2009 in the lead up to elections for the Jaffna Municipal Council which will be held on the 8th of August 2009. CMEV will monitor the elections to the Jaffna Municipality throughout the campaign and on the Election Day through the deployment of Field Monitors, Polling Booth Monitors on Election Day as well as Mobile Teams. During the visit CPA met with political party leaders, candidates, the GA and the Assistant Commissioner of Elections, leading civil society actors including religious leaders, the media, the business sector, lawyers, representatives from the fishing community, academics and university students. Read the report in full here.

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Final Report on election related violence: Central & North Western Province

Final Reports, Media reports /

The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) commenced its monitoring for the Central and North Western Provincial Council Elections on 10th January 2009. CMEV focused its monitoring on election related malpractices, irregularities and incidents of electoral violence in three phases: 1. Campaign 2. Polling Day 3. Post election violence CMEV monitoring is founded on the belief that the electoral process is the basic mechanism for choice and change in a functioning democracy. Furthermore, political parties bear a responsibility for protecting the integrity of the electoral process through their choice of candidates and electoral practices. Individual candidates, likewise. Accordingly, the integrity of the electoral process is of pivotal importance for the legitimacy of the governance and government that it produces. Electoral violence and malpractice and discrimination in favor of any political party or section of the electorate will erode public trust and confidence. The basic modus operandi of CMEV is the deployment of monitors in the field attached to each of the relevant Polling Divisions in a District. They report back to the CMEV Secretariat for the further corroboration of information pertaining to electoral violence and malpractice. The Secretariat releases the information to the public through the media after this further process is completed. Overall, in the elections to the two Provincial Councils, there was a sizeable decrease in the number and nature of incidents, especially on Election Day. There were however, a number of incidents reported during the campaign that adversely affected the environment for conducting a free and fair election. In these two elections, the highest number of complaints related to the disenfranchisement of voters on account of the lack of proper identification documents. This was also the case in the previous provincial council elections- the Eastern Provincial Council Election held on 10th May and North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Election held on 23rd August 2008. CMEV consistently highlighted the issue and the importance of taking steps to rectify it. The problem however has persisted. Other issues identified are the misuse of public resources and biased print and electronic media coverage – mainly by the State media. This has become a common feature of elections held in Sri Lanka and is yet another reinforcement of the argument constantly advanced by CMEV regarding the urgency of the full implementation of the 17th Amendment. CMEV believes that the establishment of independent commissions for the Police, the Public Service and Elections amongst others provided for by this amendment, is necessary for the protection of the integrity of the electoral process. The Commissioner of Elections acted decisively in response to malpractices being confirmed at one Polling Station. The Commissioner declared the results of No. 47 Polling Station at P/ Nayakkarchenai Tamil Vidyalya in the Puttalam Polling Station (Puttalam District) null and void and ordered a re-poll in that station. CMEV welcomed the decision of the Commissioner of Elections and reiterates that it will serve as a strong precedent and effective deterrent against future electoral irregularities and malpractice. CMEV deployed a special team to monitor the re-poll and recorded 12 incidents of election related violence on the day of the re poll. Read the report in full here as a PDF.

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Final Report on election related violence: Sabaragamuwa and North Central Province

Final Reports, Press Reports /

The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) commenced its monitoring of the Provincial Council Elections in the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces on 8th August 2008. CMEV monitoring focused on the incidence of electoral violence and malpractice throughout the campaign and on Polling Day. CMEV monitoring has always been conducted in the belief that it contributes to the making of informed choices by the voter and is organized accordingly. Monitors in the field send information for further corroboration to the CMEV Secretariat in Colombo, which in turn releases reports to the media. In the elections to the two Provincial Councils there was a decrease in the number and nature of incidents on Election Day, although there were a considerable number of incidents reported during the campaign, thereby vitiating the freeness and fairness of the polls. In these elections, the highest number of complaints related to the disenfranchisement of voters on account of the lack of proper identity documents. This was also the case in the Eastern Provincial Council Election held on 10th May 2008. In its report on that election, CMEV highlighted the problem and the importance of taking steps to rectify it. The problem however has persisted. Another such issue is that of the misuse of public resources. This has become a common feature of elections held in Sri Lanka and is yet another reinforcement of the argument consistently advanced by CMEV regarding the urgency and pivotal importance of the full implementation of the Seventeenth Amendment. CMEV believes that this, through the establishment of independent commissions for the Police, Public Service and Elections amongst others, is absolutely necessary for protecting the integrity of the electoral process. Download the report in full here as a PDF.

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