May 09, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission (EC) has taken a firm stance against political involvement in government-led development initiatives ahead of the presidential election, following a complaint from the local poll observer group People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).
In response to concerns raised by PAFFREL regarding the potential exploitation of development projects for political gain, the EC convened on Tuesday (07) to address the issue.
Following their meeting, the EC sent a letter to the Secretary to the President, Saman Ekanayake, instructing against the participation of politicians in development project implementations.
EC Chairman R.M.A.L Ratnayake clarified that while the local authorities’ election has been declared, polling has been indefinitely postponed.
In light of this, the EC urged the government to ensure that development projects proceed without political involvement, especially in the backdrop of the pending presidential election.
However, Ratnayake emphasised that the EC does not possess the authority to halt development projects altogether.
Instead, they have advocated for the exclusive participation of bureaucrats in such projects to prevent politicisation.
Simultaneously, the EC has begun logistical preparations for the upcoming presidential election, expected to be declared after July 15 and concluded in early October.
