PAFFREL raises concerns over government’s election strategies

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The government is prioritising elections it believes it can win over others, Executive Director of People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), Rohana Hettiarachchi has said.

Addressing the media in Colombo on Thursday (08), Hettiarachchi said the government had launched several development projects with an eye to the coming presidential election.

“The Cabinet has approved an allocation of 10 billion rupees for both presidential and parliamentary elections, but the local and provincial council elections continue to be overlooked.”

The PAFFREL Executive Director said the presidential election should be held this year, and the Election Commissioni would have to decide on a date for the election.

“The parliamentary election is not due this year. The government has also initiated several projects aimed at the election. The elections officials will have to commence the process for the presidential election by July, and if the government has completed its development projects by July, it will benefit from them electorally. This is tantamount to misuse of public funds,” he said.

Hettiarachchi said two circulars had been issued to heads of government institutions to finish all development projects by 31 July.

“This is an attempt to help Ranil Wickremesinghe win,” Hettiarachchi said.