Using electronic media can eliminate violence, says PAFFREL

PAFFREL

People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) urges the Presidential candidates to resort to the electronic media to create awareness among the people regarding their election campaign.

Posters, banners or cutouts showing the candidates, their numbers or symbols are not essential. They could resort to the electronic and print media to raise awareness among the voters, said PAFFEREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi.
“Putting across the candidates’ policies rather than their faces, numbers or symbols will be much better,” said Mr. Hettiarachchi.
During the media briefing this morning (January 5) the polls monitor also released its Interim Report regarding the on-going January 26 polls campaign.
Rohana Hettiarachchi said that there has been a marked increase in polls violence as compared to the 2005 Presidential election. He stated that if the Police failed to take an unbiased stand and act promptly, violence may increase during the run-up to the poll.
Several incidents of violence have been already reported and may increase if proper action is not taken, Mr. Hettiarachchi added. He also said that similar to the 2005 election, temporary polling booths woild be set up in the North and East where necessary.
The implementation of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution whereby an independent Elections Commission will function can rectify these problems, the PAFFEREL Executive Director said.