Local Gov. / Provincial
     Council Elections 2008
Provincial Council
      Elections for North
      Central and
      Sabaragamuwa 2008
Provincial Council
      Election for Central
      and North Western
      Province
Provincial Council
      Election 2009 -
      Western Province
Uva Provincial
     Council, Jaffna
     Municipal Council &,
     Vauniya Urban Council
     elections
Southern Provincial
     Council Election
     10th October 2009
Programmes
 
 
 
 

All political parties and independent groups contesting elections, public servants engaged in election duties, voters and election monitors shall fulfil their obligations and exercise their rights in strict compliance with the law and act at all times with full commitment to the objective of ensuring a free and fair election.

Towards this end, they will uphold the ideals and standards of the best democratic societies. They will draw inspiration from the morals and precepts of the great religious traditions in our country and in particular take guidance from the virtues of good governance that have been enshrined in the dasarajadhamma.
 
All political parties and independent groups will
strictly observe the rule of law and fully abjure the use of violence, physical force and intimidation in any form during the election, on election day and in the aftermath of the election.
firmly maintain discipline among their members and supporters to prevent violence, intimidation and breaches of election law; take prompt disciplinary action against any members who commit such violations and where necessary withdraw such persons from active participation in the election campaign.
ensure that the candidates that seek to represent the people are individuals of high integrity and ability, and will take special care to exclude persons who have committed or condoned acts of violence, thuggery or intimidation in their political career and election campaigns.
respect the rights of all contesting parties and groups and refrain from any action that may hinder them from campaigning freely in accordance with election law.
respect the rights of the polling agents of rival parties and refrain from any action that obstructs them from performing their legitimate duties.
conduct the election campaign in a peaceful orderly manner, focusing attention on public issues and avoiding personal recrimination and abuse.
refrain from speech and action which incites violence, hatred and anger, ethnic and religious discord.
comply strictly with the election laws on all matters relating to display of posters and banners, conduct of meetings and processions.
ensure that all forms of election propaganda such as display of posters and banners, processions, canvassing and meetings do not violate the rights of citizens by encroaching on private property or causing a nuisance which is disruptive of the normal life.
respect and protect the rights of all voters by eliminating impersonation and the use of undue influence and corrupt practices.
prohibit party supporters from congregating near polling stations on election day or engaging in any action which has the effect of intimidating voters or restricting their freedom of access to the polling station.
extend the fullest co-operation to the police and election staff to deal with all election-related incidents of violence and other breaches of the law and enable them to take the action necessary to ensure a free and fair election.
partake in regular consultation and dialogue with contesting parties for peaceful settlement of all election-related problems and disputes that may arise.
 
Voters will
act individually and collectively to protect their democratic rights
take necessary action to ensure that they are duly registered as voters, fully inform themselves of all matters related to voting and cast their vote on the election day.
express their explicit condemnation of acts of violence intimidation, impersonation and other malpractices, regardless of their support for any party and make every effort to prevent such acts.
  firmly resolve to reject candidates who have committed or condoned acts of violence even if such candidates belong to the party of the voter's choice and exclude them from their preference vote at the election.
  promote public awareness and create public opinion against political violence in any form by any party and help to develop a genuine democratic political culture.
  participate in and support efforts made by community leaders at reconciliation and mediation of conflicts between political parties for the purpose of eliminating violence and creating the conditions for a free and air election.
  participate and assist in the efforts of non- partisan civil society organisations to monitor elections.
 
Election Monitors will
maintain the highest standards of integrity and impartiality in monitoring and reporting on the elections.
inform the public of their activities and help to promote public awareness and civic participation to prevent election-related violence and malpractices.
monitor the conduct of all the contesting political parties and independent groups without any partisan bias.
co-ordinate where necessary with the state authorities administering the elections as well as all the contesting political parties and groups to promote the conditions essential for a free and fair election.
assist voters in every way possible to protect and exercise their rights freely.
promptly report all violations that they observe to the relevant authorities and take necessary follow up action to ensure that these complaints receive adequate attention.
make every effort to verify the authenticity of complaints they receive and make all relevant information on election- related violence and malpractices available to the media and the public as early as possible.
 
The Party in Power will
ensure that the resources of the state - equipment, vehicles, and personnel and media- are not used for the ruling party's election campaign.
refrain from organising official ceremonies, inauguration of government projects and similar events during the election campaign which can provide an opportunity for election propaganda for the ruling party.
ensure that all contesting parties have fair and equal access to the mass media owned by the state for the purpose of the election.
refrain from any administrative or executive action such as transfer and deployment of staff for political purposes that can prevent public servants from performing their duties impartially and efficiently.
  provide all the resources necessary to the Police and the Commissioner of Elections to maintain the conditions essential for a free and fair election.
 
Public Servants on Election duty (administrative staff and police officers) will
perform their duties and enforce the law without favour or bias to any one political party or group contesting the elections.
protect the rights of the legitimate voters and take all action possible to maintain conditions within and outside polling stations that enable them to vote freely.
deal promptly with acts of violence, and other election-related breaches of the law and prosecute offenders without delay.