UNP wants international monitors for Batti polls

By Kelum Bandara

The main opposition UNP hopes to request the Elections Chief to ensure the presence of an international mission to monitor elections to nine local government bodies in the Batticaloa district.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said the international monitoring mission was necessary for the conduct of a free and fair poll in the East.

Mr. Attanayake said the wave of violence that swept the province after the election was announced had caused grave concern to residents and candidates alike. He said some armed groups operating in the area were also posing a threat to the conduct of a free and fair poll.

“Our party will write to Elections Chief Dayananda Dissanayake requesting him to bring an international election monitoring mission,” he said.

But he said this request would be made only in case the UNP decides to contest the election.

The JVP said it was the government’s responsibility to conduct a free and fair poll in the East.

Its parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa said the JVP did not beleive an international mission was essential for the poll.

“But, we will not oppose an international monitoring mission coming in. Yet, it is not absolutely essential. There are local organizations funded by foreign bodies. They too have proven their capability in monitoring elections,” he said.

Source : Dailymirror