Parliamentary Election 2020 – Joint Announcement of Election Monitoring Organizations

Situation Updates /

All active election observation missions in Sri Lanka, including CMEV, have issued a joint statement urging all relevant authorities to resolve their issues regarding a new election date with the mutual understanding of not creating a constitutional crisis against the backdrop of COVID19 The joint statement points out that: It is undesirable to head into an election with the Election Commission and the Executive at odds with each other An environment of relief provision to those affected by crisis is not ideal for an election campaign as it can be exploited by candidates for their own political gain, as can already be seen The National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak and health authorities must confirm that the new election date will not put voters and election officials at risk Download this Statement in Sinhala Download this Statement in Tamil Download this Statement in English

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CMEV writes to Presidential Task Force on COVID-19

Situation Updates /

CMEV wrote to Presidential Task Force on COVID19 head Basil Rajapaksa on appointing members for local relief distribution Committees under Circular PTF 03/2020. This process excludes the 40% of reps elected in 2018 Local Govt Elections through lists without fixed electorateshese reps are disproportionately women due to the function of the new mixed election system & the women’s quota. CMEV requested at least the runners up in electorate contests and especially list-level women reps to be included in the Committees. Download this Letter in Sinhala Download this in Tamil

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CMEV Calls for Postponement of General Election 2020

Press Releases /

CMEV Calls for Postponement of General Election 2020 March 17, 2020 – The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) is urging the Election Commission to postpone General Election 2020 scheduled for April 25, 2020, in light of the escalating CORVID-19 pandemic. Many activities required for holding the election bring many people into close contact with each other, thereby posing significant risks of viral transmission. This includes thousands of election officers, party officials, Police officers and election observers being in close proximity to each other at the thousands of polling stations and counting centres across the country; physical contact between election officers and voters as voters are marked with indelible ink and handed ballot papers; and the handling of the same ballot paper by numerous election officials for vote counting purposes. All election campaigning activities, including public rallies and meetings, also bring many people into close contact with each other. CMEV notes that the ongoing spread of the CORVID-19 pandemic and government measures to combat it (including closures of schools and other public venues, restrictions on mass gatherings and travel restrictions) are likely to have a significant impact on voter turnout on Election Day, and that many voters would be discouraged from voting due to fears of being in close proximity to many others at polling stations. This also broadly impacts voters’ right to freely exercise their vote, and the ability to hold a free and fair election. CMEV also notes that elections scheduled to be held during the months of March to May have been postponed in many countries including the United Kingdom, France, India and Spain due to the escalating CORVID-19 pandemic. In terms of postponement, the Election Commission can formally request the President to withdraw Extraordinary Gazette 2165/8, which would have the effect of reversing the dissolution of Parliament and the calling of an election. The Election Commission can alternately, under the gazette with the notice of poll it will issue after the close of nominations, postpone the election unilaterally under the powers it will acquire thereafter. CMEV is prepared to offer any assistance it can and work with the Election Commission to ensure that General Election 2020 can be held under conditions where Sri Lankans are able to exercise their right to vote in a truly free and fair manner.

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CMEV Letter to National Police Commission on Police Transfers During Election Period

Situation Updates /

March 06, 2020 Mr. Nishantha A. Weerasinghe,Secretary,National Police Commission,Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall Premises,Block 9,Colombo 07 Dear Secretary, Transfers of commissioned and other Police officers during the election period The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) would like to express its appreciation of Sri Lanka Police as one of the key stakeholders of the election process in this country during the previous Presidential Election in 2019. We strongly believe that in the context of the upcoming General Election, Sri Lanka Police will perform its duties in a similarly commendable manner to ensure a free and fair election. To this end, one of the most decisive factors is creating a conducive background for all police officers working in various locations across the country to be able to perform their duties and responsibilities in an independent manner without any undue influence. Several reports we have received so far indicate that this policy is not being completely followed. This includes the apparent plans to transfer Mr. Uchith Liyanage, Senior Superintendent of Police of Seethawaka area and place as the Deputy Director of the Women and Child Bureau. Our reports indicate that he is to be replaced by Mr. Sudath Wedamulla, Senior Superintendent of Police who was recently appointed as a Personal Assistant of a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police after being transferred from Anuradhapura. In the face of a national level election, CMEV emphasises that any alleged attempts of transferring will be a direct violation of the explicit guidelines provided by the Election Commission. As per usual electoral processes in Sri Lanka, the Police must also consult the Election Commission before any such transfer. In the past when neither the National Police Commission nor the Election Commission had been established, the Department of Elections and the Department of Police jointly managed these kinds of situations in a very coordinated and supportive manner. The work accomplished through such coordination had generated better results too. We also trust that the Inspector General of Police (Acting) has enormous experience of similar essential transfers done in a well-coordinated manner. Thus, we strongly expect the National Police Commission to pay your kind attention to rectify any such transfers that have either already taken place or will take place. It is the absolute responsibility of the National Police Commission to ensure the independent functioning of the Police service during elections. CMEV also notes that numerous baseless and unanticipated allegations against independent Commissions are being made in the current climate. It is the sole responsibility of the Commissions to build and strengthen their reputations. The National Police Commission can do that here by taking strong, principled decisions and promoting independent practices within Sri Lanka Police in a careful, professional and just manner. Finally, CMEV will extend our fullest support for any decisions your Commission will take in order to protect and enhance the integrity of electoral processes of this country. Your attention for above mentioned matters will be highly appreciated. Manjula Gajanayake,National Coordinator,CMEV Copied to: Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya, Chairman, Election Commission, Election Secretariat, Sarana Road, Rajagiriya. Mr. H.M.T.D. Herath, Secretary, Election Commission, Election Secretariat, Sarana Road, Rajagiriya. Mr. C.D. Wickramarathne, Inspector General of Police (Acting) Sri Lanka Police, Police Headquarters, Colombo 01. Mr. Saman Sri Rathnayake, Commissioner General, Election Commission, Election Secretariat, Sarana Road, Rajagiriya. Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (Elections), Sri Lanka Police, Police Headquarters, Colombo 01. Mr. Suranga Ranashinghe, Assistant Election Commissioner, Election Commission, Election Secretariat, Sarana Road, Rajagiriya. Mr. Ashoka Dharmasena, Senior Superintendent of Police (Director-Elections), Sri Lanka Police, Police Headquarters, Colombo 01.

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CMEV Letter to Election Commission on Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Director and Public Officials Engaging in Illegal Election Campaigning

Press Releases, Press Reports /

March 06, 2020 Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya,Chairperson,Election Commission,Election Secretariat Office,Sarana Road, Rajagiriya. Dear Mr. Deshapriya, Public Officials Engaging in Illegal Election Campaigning The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) would like to express its appreciation of the Election Commission for some positive decisions that have been already taken based on certain incidents in relation to the upcoming General Election.  We believe that, similar to the last Presidential Election, there will be a rise in public officials engaging in election campaigning and making undue interventions which contravene their functions. CMEV wishes to highlight one such incident regarding the Director of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, Doctor A.M.S. Weerabandara, who has been engaging in election campaigning in a very biased and ethnically divisive manner while still remaining a public official. The extensive efforts being taken by the Election Commission to ensure the integrity of the election process is challenged and put at a high risk by activity such as the above being done without receiving appropriate leave or by terminating the current employment for the purpose of promoting various political parties. Section 01 of Chapter 32 of the Establishment Code of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, provides limitations through sub-sections 1.1, 1.2.3 and 1.3 on staff officers not being entitled to enjoy political rights, specifically on the establishment of election candidacy or executing initial actions for the purpose of election candidacy. These provisions have been violated by the Director’s actions. We urge the Election Commission to take immediate action to initiate an investigation on the conduct of the said Director who should be aware of the limitations imposed on a staff officer yet has intentionally both violated the election law and disregarded the medical profession’s rules and regulations related to the public service for the purpose of political gains.   We urge the Election Commission to use for an investigation: Enclosed observation notes and records compiled by CMEV Acknowledgement by the Director himself that he engaged in such election campaigning The Director’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DrSarath-Weerabandara-105479324381092/ An article published in the Ravaya newspaper on March 05, 2020 titled “Hospital Director Disdains the Law” Your attention and action on this matter will be highly appreciated. Manjula Gajanayake,National Coordinator,CMEV Copied to: Mr. H.M.T.D. Herath, Secretary, Election Commission, Election Secretariat, Sarana Road, Rajagiriya. Mr. Saman Sri Rathnayake, Commissioner General, Election Commission, Election Secretariat, Sarana Road, Rajagiriya. Mr. Suranga Ranashinghe, Assistant Election Commissioner, Election Commission, Election Secretariat, Sarana Road, Rajagiriya.

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CMEV Commences General Election 2020 Operations

Situation Updates /

CMEV will be monitoring election law violations, campaign expenses & social media activity, and conducting voter education during the upcoming #GenElecSL as well. Join us through Facebook, Twitter (twitter.com/cmev) and cmev.org.— මැ.ප්‍ර.නි.ම මෙවරද මැතිවරණ නීති උල්ලංඝනය, මැතිවරණ ප්‍රචාරක වියදම්, ඡන්ද දායකයින් දැනුවත් කිරීම හා සමාජ මාධ්‍ය හැසිරීම පිලිබඳ පුළුල් නිරීක්ෂණයක් සිදු කරනු ලබයි. Facebook, Twitter (twitter.com/cmev.) සහ cmev.org හරහා අපත් සමග එකතු වන්න.— இம்முறையும் CMEV தேர்தல் சட்ட மீறல்கள், தேர்தல் பிரசார செலவுகள் , வாக்காளர்களை விழிப்பூட்டல் மற்றும் சமூக ஊடக செயற்பாடுகள் குறித்து பரந்த கண்காணிப்பை மேற்கொள்கின்றது. Facebook, Twitter (twitter.com/cmev) மற்றும் CMEV.org ஊடாக எம்மோடு இணைந்திருங்கள்.

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ANFREL Hands Over Election Monitoring Report to CMEV

Situation Updates /

Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has launched its final report titled ”The 2019 Sri Lankan Presidential Election: A Deepening Political Divide” and a copy of the report was handed over to Mr. Manjula Gajanayake, National Coordinator of CMEV by Mr. Amaël Vier, Program Officer for Capacity Building and International Election Observation.   Access to the report : https://anfrel.org/final-mission-report-2019-sri-lankan-presidential-election/

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Final Report on Estimated Election Cost Monitoring: Presidential Election 2019

Campaign Finance Regulation, Final Reports /

We are pleased to present you the final report prepared by the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) on estimated election campaign costs of Presidential Candidates. CMEV has stated from the outset that one of the urgent electoral reforms in the country should be to set up a legal mechanism to regulate election-related expenditure in the country. To this end, one of the decisive factors that must necessarily be there is the relevant evidence-based data. Accordingly, for the first time in the electoral history of the country, CMEV has released a detailed report on the estimated election campaign cost incurred by candidates, political parties and independent groups contested the Presidential Election 2019. Download the Report in English here

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Ravaya Paper Article

Media reports /

Unlimited and Unregulated nature of election campaign finances is a serious issue in Sri Lanka. Policy makers of this country should immediately act in formulating a Campaign Finance Legislation as part of the overall electoral reform process of Sri Lanka. This Article analyzes the findings of the Election Campaign Cost Monitoring Initiative of the CMEV on the Presidential Election 2019.  Orginal Article Click this link

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Statement on Voter Registration Issues for the Presidential Election 2019

Situation Updates /

The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) is concerned by widespread reports of Sri Lankan voters not receiving polling cards to vote in the upcoming presidential elections, and not finding their names on the 2018 electoral register after consulting their Grama Niladharis, or on the online electoral register. CMEV has to date received over 100 individual complaints from voters in this regard. CMEV raised this issue with the Election Commission last week, but is yet to receive a response. Voter concern about this issue is growing across social media channels. Messages providing different and contradictory instructions to voters on how to verify their voter registration, and how to approach Grama Niladharis if they find themselves not on the register, are being shared widely. CMEV is particularly concerned of possible confusion and potential disruptive incidents at polling centres on election day if/when voters find out that they are unable to vote due to their names not being on the electoral register as they expected. CMEV requests the Electoral Commission to clarify the situation immediately, and to provide clear instructions to voters if they have not received polling cards and/or find out they are not on the electoral register. CMEV also requests the Election Commission provide details about what instruction has been provided to election officials to resolve electoral registration issues on election day. CMEV advises voters in Sri Lanka to check their electoral registration details on the Election Commission’s electoral register website (at https://eservices.elections.gov.lk/myVoterRegistration.aspx), particularly if they have not received a polling card. If, after submitting their details, voters find their names on the electoral register, CMEV advises: To take a screenshot with them to their polling centre on. election day, and To carefully confirm where their polling centre is A polling card is not mandatory in order to vote – a valid form of ID is all that is required, if one is registered. If, after submitting their details, voters find out that their names are not on the electoral register, CMEV advises: To contact their District Election Officer or the national Election Secretariat to clarify their registration. A list of District Election Officer contact details can be found at: https://elections.gov.lk/web/en/contact-us/contact-information/district-offices/ The national Election Secretariat is located at Sarana Mawatha, Rajagiriya, Colombo and can be contacted at 011 2868441 or 011 2868442. CMEV argues all voters behave in a calm and lawful manner and to not act in any way to threaten the conduct of a peaceful election. CMEV is asking the Election Commission to make a statement clarifying this issue in the hope of ensuring this outcome. Download this in Sinhala

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