Chairman of the Election Commission RML Ratnayake said that if there is any violation of laws by public officials during the election period through the use of state property and resources directly or indirectly in promotion of presidential candidates, the relevant officials are personally responsible for those violations.
The chairman said that complaints are being received regarding election law violations and that government agencies must be aware and responsible for such cases.
He expressed these views yesterday (05) during a discussion held with media heads at the election secretariat. According to the Chairman RML Ratnayake, the Election Commission has summoned all Ministry Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, Chairmen of all Authorities, and other high-ranking officials to provide relevant instructions regarding the use of public resources and property during the election period.
The Chairman of the Election Commission stated that it is being reported from some places that politicians are using public property in violation of election laws. He noted that the decision to hold the meeting with all the heads of government institutions was made to remind them how to act in accordance with the Presidential Election Act. The EC Chairman noted that if political parties and candidates are allowed to misuse public resources, the relevant government officials will be solely responsible for the misuse of public property for promoting presidential candidates.
However, he pointed out that currently many political parties and candidates follow the advice issued by the Election Commission in organizing various events that the public participates in. Accordingly, the Election Commission has also decided to provide instructions on how to hold such events, or the Commission has taken initiatives to cancel election rallies that do not meet the standards and regulations of the Commission. The chairman also mentioned that the program of providing Suraksha student insurance coverage was put on hold based on the advice received.
