Presidential Election 2010: Media Communiqué No. 3
6 January 2010, Colombo, Sri Lanka: CMEV has confirmed 91 major incidents of election related violence as of today, since the gazette notification of presidential election on 23 November 2009. Most of the major incidents (27) have been reported from the Southern Province. CMEV highlights the most recent confirmed major incidents in this report.
Download it as a PDF here.
Presidential Elections 2010: Your vote is your constitutional right. Use it!
CMEV is running a tri-lingual public information campaign to raise awareness on the documents required for voter identification in the run up to the Presidential Elections.
The posters and banner ads can be seen, freely downloaded, printed and disseminated via from here. They also appear below as an interactive screenshow.
Letter to the Elections Commissioner on illegal display of cut-outs, banners and posters
5th January 2010 Colombo Sri Lanka Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) sent a letter to the Election Commissioner on 05th January 2009 highlighting the illegal display of cutouts, banners and posters in public places and within the premises of Government offices throughout the country.
CMEV called upon the Election Commissioner to take immediate measures to ensure that election laws and the directives he has issued with regard to adherence to them are strictly observed by the Police and all responsible for protecting the integrity of the electoral process. The letter to the Commissioner is attached.
Download the cover letter here, and the detailed letter to the Elections Commissioner here.
Laws, Acts, Constitutional Provisions and Amendments relevant to Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka
A compilation of laws, acts, constitutional provisions and amendments relevant to Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka is provided below for easy reference.
Articles 92 – 94 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka (1978)
CHAPTER VII – THE EXECUTIVE – The President of the Republic
17th Amendment to the Constitution
Registration of Electors Act, No. 44 of 1980
ELECTIONS (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) ACT, No. 14 OF 2004
Presidential Elections Act, No. 15 of 1981 (large PDF, ~8.8Mb)
Presidential Election 2010: Media Communiqué No. 2
3 January 2010, Colombo, Sri Lanka: CMEV notes with concern the escalation of violence in the Presidential Election. CMEV has received reports of 4 Major Incidents of election related violence on 3 January. Instances of the use of fire arms have gone up to 16. CMEV highlights the most recent two incidents in this press release, including the clash between UPFA and NDF Supporters in Kiribathgoda.
Download the press release as a PDF here.
Presidential Election 2010: Media Communiqué No. 1
2 January, 2010 Colombo Sri Lanka CMEV is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence and the violation of election laws.
Profile of Violence
Since the gazette notification for the Presidential Election issued on 23rd November 2009 up to 01st January 2010, CMEV has recorded a confirmed cumulative total of 103 incidents of election related violence. According to CMEV reports, 44 incidents have been categorized as Major out of which 16 incidents are of Assault, 13 are of Threat and Intimidation, 8 of Grievous Hurt, 5 incidents of Hurt and 2 cases of the Misuse of State Resources. The total number of incidents involving the use of firearms is 16. In addition, 59 incidents have been categorized as Minor.
Out of 44 Major incidents, 29 incidents have been reported against the ruling UPFA – this being the highest number reported against any one party. Of the total figure of 103 incidents, the UNP had been accused as the perpetrator in 5 incidents and the JVP in 3.
Incidents of violence are increasingly being reported from the North Western, North Central and Southern provinces. Sixty (60) incidents out of a total of 103 incidents have been reported from these three provinces.
CMEV reiterates its concerns regarding the violations of election laws mainly by the ruling alliance, with illegal posters and cut-outs in public places in all of the main towns and cities and inside the premises of Government Offices. We urge the Election Commissioner to direct the Police as well as heads of government offices to act on his directives and ensure the proper implementation of election laws without any bias. In this context, we underscore the key responsibility of the Police to take immediate and strong action against political parties that violate election laws.
CMEV notes that the Election Commissioner has not yet taken steps appoint a Competent Authority as provided for in the Seventeenth Amendment in respect of certain named state media institutions. The Commissioner has identified an individual to monitor media bias but has not appointed anyone as a Competent Authority vested with the powers that appointment entails. CMEV strongly urges the Election Commissioner to immediately appoint a Competent Authority.
CMEV draws particular attention to the powers vested in the Election Commissioner by the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution and in judgements of the Supreme Court. We are of the firm belief that the fullest use of these powers is the best available means for the protection of the integrity of the electoral process and urges the Commissioner to act accordingly. The public enumeration of these powers alone is no substitute for the effective exercise and implementation of them in this election in which issues of constitutionality, respect for the Rule of Law and democratic governance are being especially highlighted as being under challenge. In this context we welcome the action taken by the Commissioner in halting the transfer of Superintendent of Police J.R. Jayawardane to Killinochchi from Ampara, a course of action strongly urged by CMEV in communication with the Commissioner.
CMEV notes with concern the upward trend in election related violence and calls upon all concerned especially the Election Commissioner and his officials, the Police and political parties to take all necessary steps to deter such violence and to deal with those who are responsible for it. We call on all presidential candidates to reiterate their commitment to eradicate political violence and malpractice in word and in deed. CMEV’s experience with multiple elections confirms that the areas of violence on Election Day tend to coincide with the areas which experienced election related violence during the campaign.
For the full press release and a sampling of incidents of violence recorded by CMEV as of 2nd January 2010, please download the PDF here.
Presidential Election 2010: Special Media Release on Transfer of SSP Ampara Division
CMEV learnt that the SSP of Ampara Division, J.R.Jayawardhana, has been transferred to the Killinochi Police Division with effect from 01st of January 2010.
CMEV contacted Mr.Jayawardhana on 31st December who told that he received a radio message from the Police Head Quarters, Colombo on 30th December at around 11.30pm stating that he has been transferred to Killinochi Police Division with effect from 01st January. He stated that no reason has been mentioned for his transfer in the radio message.
Read the full press release as a PDF here.
Presidential Elections 2010: Field Visit Report, December 2009
The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) visited selected areas of the North and East from 22 -25 December 2009 to identify the issues pertaining to the voter application process for displaced persons, the availability of required identification documents and the general context in which the campaign is being conducted. CMEV met with Government officials, political party representatives, leading civil society actors including religious leaders, the media, academics, and displaced persons.
- CMEV notes with concern the number of applications – 31,758 – received by the Department of Elections as of 28th December. This figure could be lower since some applications may be rejected. CMEV calls on the Election Commissioner to ensure that every displaced voter who is registered in the 2008 Electoral Register will be able to vote. Considering the issues and confusion pertaining to the application process and given the assurances by senior election officials, CMEV urges the Election Commissioner to issue a special notice to the displaced voters enumerating the application procedure and requisite voter identity documentation, thereby ensuring that neither of these factors will inhibit the fullest exercise of the franchise by displaced persons. CMEV also urges the Commissioner and election officials to make sure that the displaced voters are aware of the location of cluster and special polling centres through their Grama Niladharis and Camp Officers.
- CMEV calls on the media and civil society organizations to assist the Commissioner’s office as well as through initiatives of their own, on voter education.
- CMEV calls upon the Commissioner and colleagues to establish an effective mechanism in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Transport Board to assure proper transportation facilities for displaced voters. CMEV urges the line ministry to consider this as a matter of priority and recommends that the Election Commissioner establish a special committee to look into the transportation arrangements.
Video of press conference on Southern Provincial Council Election (Sinhala)
Video of press conference held on 13 October 2009 on Southern Provincial Council Election. Sinhala version.
The video covers the context within which the election was held, key characteristics of election violence in the run up to and on the day of the elections, and key concerns over the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.
Video of press conference on Southern Provincial Council Election (English)
Video of press conference held on 13 October 2009 on Southern Provincial Council Election. English version.
The video covers the context within which the election was held, key characteristics of election violence in the run up to and on the day of the elections, and key concerns over the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.
Press conference on Southern Provincial Council elections
CMEV will hold a press conference on the recently concluded Southern Provincial Council election on 13th October, at 10.30am at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI), 100 Independence Square, Colombo 7.
Please contact Dilan at dilanmount@gmail.com or on +94 713 244200 for more information.
CMEV Final Report – Major Incidents in the Southern Provincial Council Elections, 10th October 2009
At the close of polls, CMEV reports a provisional voter turnout of 63.66 %. A breakdown of the districts indicates 66% in Hambantota district, 68% in Matara district and 57% in Galle district. This is to be compared with the 2004 Southern Provincial Council Elections where the total turnout was 55.64% with a breakdown of 55.99% in Hambantota district, 54.43% in Matara district and 56.5% in Galle district.
On Polling Day, CMEV monitors reported 29 incidents in total with 8 major incidents and 21 minor incidents.
Download the full CMEV election day report here. Download the report in Sinhala here.
Southern Provincial Council Election 2009: Election Day Media Communiqué No. 1
As at 12.00 noon 10th October, 2009 Colombo Sri Lanka: Voting for the Southern Provincial Council elections commenced at 7.00 a.m. today with relatively low incidents of election related violence. According the CMEV monitors, a total of 20 election-related incidents have been recorded since polls opened from all three districts. 07 of these incidents have been categorized as major and 13 as minor. 10 incidents have been reported from Galle, 05 incidents have been reported from Matara and 05 incidents from Hambantota district.
Download full CMEV report here.
Southern Provincial Council Election 2009: Interim Report
8th October 2009: CMEV has recorded a cumulative total of 95 incidents since its commenced monitoring. Of the total of 95 incidents, the number of Major incidents have gone up to 26 while 69 incidents have been categorized as Minor. The highest number of Major incidents have been reported from the Galle district – 14 out of 26. The total number of incidents reported to CMEV from the Galle district is 45.
For full report and details of these incidents, download the CMEV Interim Report.
Southern Provincial Council Election 2009 – Media Communiqué 7
7th CMEV media communiqué of the Southern Provincial Council election can be downloaded here in English.
