Tougher Election laws in place: candidates pull subtle tricks to by pass them:  Election Commissioner Mahindha Deshapriya helpless

Posters have not covered every wall and pole and no big cutouts have been erected at every junction or fixed to light posts. Loudspeaker announcements from canvassing vehicles are relatively absent.  These observations have combined to give the impression that political parties are engaged in the election campaign on a low key this time.

The reason is not the lack of enthusiasm or vigorous campaigning by political parties and their candidates in the fray. Actually,   candidates, particularly those from the main parties, are in frenzied canvassing. They are following a tight schedule of meetings from morning till dusk each day, and in door to door canvassing.

 But, they all face certain restrictions in the style and mode of campaigning this time due to the strict implementation of  election related laws by the Election Department armed with more teeth under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution incorporated recently. 

Restrictions have been imposed on the putting up of posters in every nook and corner of cities, towns and villages. They include the installation of life-sized or smaller cutouts. The use of loudspeakers is confined to meeting grounds. The deployment of vehicles with stickers bearing party symbols, preferential numbers and candidates’ names are also restricted. They are permitted only on vehicles in which candidates travel. 
Despite such legal bars, it is sine-quo-non for candidates to advertise their party symbols and preferential numbers and to drive home their messages to voters. Therefore, in certain instances, some candidates have devised  subtle     means of propaganda which cannot be dealt with under the available legal provisions. 

These candidates have been smart enough to creep through the loopholes in the system placing Election Commissioner, Mahinda Deshapriya in a predicament. 

In one such instance, a powerful candidate of the Matara District is reportedly serving people with beverages bearing the elephant symbol and number ‘7’ as trade marks. This is a well thought out publicity devise    to promote his party symbol and preferential number.   

In a  similar fashion, a leading candidate of the Badulla District has also adopted effective propaganda methods    that cannot be restricted  by present election laws. In this instance, the candidate has introduced arm bands bearing a symbol which relates directly to  his name, to be worn by his supporters in door to door canvassing. Raffle draws have also been introduced by him with the offer of gifts including electronic items for the winners. In addition, his supporters make visits to households and offer gifts to occupants if they are found wearing the   propaganda arm bands. 

Mahinda Deshapriya, Election Commissioner, at a meeting with the heads of media organisations, has said that it was the smartest mode of campaigning designed to creep through loopholes in election laws.

The current electoral system also demands a lot of money for candidates to traverse the entire district canvassing votes. Without adequate financial support, it is a difficult task to bag preferential votes, sufficient enough to get elected to Parliament   in intra-party and inter-party rivalry taking place side by side. Candidates are compelled to disperse a lot of money to ensure their victory. And the   wealthy candidates always have the edge over others as a result. In vying for preferential votes, the tussle becomes so intense occasionally it brings out the worst in people.    

In the run up to this election, some candidates have hired individuals on contract to carry out door- to- door canvassing and putting up posters in permitted places.

One such group of persons got into trouble while they were pasting posters over those of another candidate. This led to a confrontation between the two groups. Later,  the group admitted that they were paid Rs.1500 a day  for doing their work. “This is our job. We do not do it with political affiliation,” one person said.   

The police, at the behest of the Election Department, tear off unlawful posters. But, some candidates have turned to the practice of mixing shards of glass from broken electric bulbs with starch used for pasting posters. This pratice is designed to hurt anyone manually removing posters.

Circular amended

Traditionally, election authorities have permitted to video or photograph the president and the prime minister of the country casting their votes.   According to this practice, filming or photograph former President Mahinda Rajapaksa contesting the election as a candidate is against that protocol.  But, the media eagerly awaits opportunities to capture film or to photograph the ex-president casting his ballot.

In these circumstances the Election Department has decided to permit it and has  issued a new circular providing for media coverage of former heads of state exercising their franchise. With ten days left, although not visible due to the dearth of posters and cutouts, political parties and their candidates have  intensified their propaganda campaigns. The leaders of the three main parties-UPFA, UNP and   Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna(JVP)  - address several election rallies each day.

According to sources close to these parties, the two main parties   are confident of winning certain districts separately. But, a few districts have been identified as political battlefields.  Puttalam, Kegalle , Badulla and Matale are considered such districts. 

Kotahena shooting triggers fears

Unidentified gunmen, alighted from a Hybrid car and sprayed bullets on a group of people canvassing for UNP Candidate Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake. In the incident, two persons were killed and a dozen others injured. Mr. Karunanayake openly charged the violence was unleashed   by the  Rajapaksa camp.  However there are  reports that it was due to underworld gang rivalry. 

The incident has prompted a re-look at security arrangements for candidates. Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K. Ilangakoon has sought a report from the prison authorities on the inmates released in recent times after serving their jail terms for for serious crimes. Police are trying to ascertain whether there are connections between such criminals and  politicians of different hues.

TNA face fresh challenges in the North

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) used to participate in elections in the North as a solitary unit. A formidable challenge never came its way in the past as it had political supremacy. However, the popularity of the TNA has been  shaken this time with the emergence of  the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) as a force to reckon with.  

It is also learnt that pro-LTTE diaspora groups have also asked people of the North to vote for the ACTC led by former MP Gajendra  Kumar Ponnambalam, the grandson of  late G.G. Ponnambalam.

CBK to campaign for UNP off stage

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has decided to campaign for the UNP-led United National Front For Good Governance Front. However, she will not appear on stage. Instead, she will address a series of seminars with Ven. Maduluwave Sobhitha Thera  .   She signalled her support for the new front after appearing in the campaign office of  candidate Arjuna Ranatunga last Sunday.