PAFFREL to file action against carrying arms during elections

[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 February 2008, 22:13 GMT]
Kingsley Rodrigo, Chairman of People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), a local election monitoring group addressing a conference attended by Government Agent (GA) Batticaloa, representatives of civil society, election candidate and representatives from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) held Saturday in Lions Club Hall in Batticaloa announced that he file court action against carrying of arms by representatives of political parties and independent groups in Batticaloa district.

Mr.Rodrigo said “except the police and SLA, no one else has the right to carry arms, and if the political parties or independent groups are permitted to contest the elections carrying arms, the election will not be a fair and just.

“PAFFREL will utilize the services of 20 monitors from foreign countries, 600 local monitors, and 100 mobile monitors during the elections. 30 election monitoring centres will be maintained," Mr. Rodrigo added.

Jehan Perera, Executive Director of National Peace Council (NPC) also accompanied Mr. Rodrigo during the fact finding mission to Batticaloa.

Kingsley Rodrigo said he would hold talks with the Batticaloa Government Agent and DIG Wasantha Nanayakkara to discuss the measures necessary to ensure a free and fair poll.