Election monitors slam govt. over misuse of state resources

• EC notified over appointment of two presidential advisors 
• The use of multiple vehicles of five  ministries for election campaigns. Further, 14 transfers have also been made in government institutions, violating the election law

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

With the Presidential Election around the corner, the  government has come under fire over the misuse of public funds, including the  use of government properties for election campaigns. 

According to Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), they have  received a flood of complaints over the misuse of government properties  for election campaigns.   

“This includes the use of multiple vehicles of five  ministries for election campaigns. Further, 14 transfers have also been  made in government institutions, violating the election law,” he said.   

“These types of actions cannot be condoned ahead of a  Presidential Election as it is a complete and clear violation of  election law,” he added.    Meanwhile, Hettiarachchi raised concerns about the move by  the President to appoint two presidential advisors violating the  election law.   

“This act can be depicted as a deliberate violation of  the election law. We have already informed the Election Commission  regarding the appointment of the two presidential advisors,”  Hettiarachchi said.   

“The duo who have been appointed as presidential advisors  are actively engaged in the election campaign of the President. Thus,  the move is a tactic to promote a candidate, which is forbidden under  the election law” he pointed out.   

“Further, the benefits including vehicles entitled to the duo are misuse of public funds,” he noted.