Member of the National Election Commission Ratnajeevan Hoole has disqualified himself as a member of an independent Commission, a candidate of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has charged.
SLPP National list candidate President’s Counsel Mohamed Ali Sabry questioned how Hoole can be considered to be independent, when he is engaged in politics for or against a political party.
Hoole must either do politics or be a member of an independent commission, he said.
Sabry’s comments come in the wake of an interview by Hoole to the media in Jaffna criticising SLPP.
In the interview, Hoole says the General Election cannot be held as before, but will have to be held under the law with minor changes.
“During the election many people try to cheat. It is our duty as the Election Commission to intervene and stop such people. Sometimes some of these people who are trying to cheat threaten to suspend me from the Commission, presuming that we will not stop such actions. However, it is difficult to cheat under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.” he said.
Hoole went on to say that some are attempting to cheat in the election by threatening him and by producing many of the documents in Sinhala as he cannot understand the language.
He said that the foremost in this are certain media supporting the SLPP who are in the frontline publishing blatant lies, adding that these media are against the people.
“I request the public not to vote for people attempting to cheat in the election. Why would you want to support people who violate the vote of the innocent? I also request the public to be mindful and refrain from voting for people who encourage and support such activities.” he said.
Commenting on the measures being taken to hold the election, Hoole said due to the current circumstances, people may not feel comfortable inking their finger for voting, as such, the Commission is conducting research on using a particular type of spray for the purpose.
“This is among various ideas that have been proposed so far. The Commission is obtaining ideas from various parties with regard to the election. It has not yet obtained advice from the World Health Organization (WHO).”, he said.
Hoole pointed out that even though it has been proposed to obtain the advice of the WHO, it has not been decided to conduct the election based on the advice given by WHO.
(Newswire)
The post EC member Hoole not independent, says SLPP candidate citing TV interview appeared first on NewsWire.
from News – NewsWire https://ift.tt/2Y7Awor