• The people should be allowed to cast their vote free of interference
• Misuse of state property would be prevented and funds received from NGOs accounted for 

By D. G. Sugathapala
Director General of the Elections Commission Saman Sri Ratnayake said the politicians holding Dansalas and distributing dry ration and other consumer goods had reduced the voters to the position of consumers.   
Addressing a seminar for government officers, representatives of election monitoring organizations and the media personnel in the Southern Province to create awareness on Act No.3 of 2023 to regulate the election expenses, he pointed out that the electors often fall prey to these tactics of politicians for want of political literacy.   
“The Act to Regulate the Election Expenses would be strictly enforced at the upcoming Presidential election. Politicians spend money to buy over voters. This Act is intended to prevent such malpractices. The people should be allowed to cast their vote free of interference. They should not be reduced to the position of consumers. Misuse of state property would be prevented and funds received from NGOs accounted for. Media organizations have been instructed to furnish reports on individuals resorting to election propaganda activities through the media and the payments made by them,” he further said.
Additional Commissioners of Elections Chinthaka Kularatne and Channa De Silva addressed the seminar organized by Asst. Commissioner of Elections, Galle District W.H.R.Wijeyakumara.
Galle District Secretary W.A. Dharmasiri, Matara District Secretary Ganesha Amarasinhe, Hambantota District Secretary H.P. Sumanasekara were present at the occasion.