Colombo: Sri Lanka's Election Commission
has turned down the demand for presence of foreign poll
observers at the counting centres for the upcoming
parliamentary polls.
The demand was made by some opposition parties
including United National Party (UNP) which said that such a
presence would ensure accuracy in election results. The
opposition request comes in the backdrop of allegations of
malpractices in the vote count for Presidential elections.
Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake did not
outright reject the proposal but said that the political
parties should have made such a request on the nominations
day.
The main Opposition United National Party (UNP) has
sent a written request to the Election Commissioner asking for
the presence of foreign poll observers at the counting centres
to ensure accuracy of election results.
Meanwhile, Rohana Hettiarachi, Director of People's
action for Free and Fair elections (PAFFREL), said the
organisation has sent several letters and reminders to the EC
regarding the appointment of observers at the forthcoming
General elections without avail.
"The Elections Commissioner did not even dwell on the
subject, it was pointed out, the UNP website claimed.
PTI
First Published: Friday, March 19, 2010, 18:41