Respect democratic rights of people, hold local elections: Election monitor tells Lankan Govt.

Colombo [Sri Lanka], Dec. 29 (ANI): An election monitoring body in Sri Lanka has urged the government to conduct the Local Government (LG) elections promptly. People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) executive director Rohana Hettiarachchi pointed out that based on issues in demarcation of wards the Local Government elections have been postponed for nearly two years by now, reports the Colombo Page. Hettiarachchi said that although the subject minister and the chairman of the National Delimitation Commission Asoka Peiris on several occasions declared time frames for the LG, neither of them have taken any measures to complete the necessary actions. "By doing so, they have taken away the democratic rights of 15 million people," Hettiarachchi said, adding it is apparent that they have made those statements with little responsibility. The PAFFREL director noted that while the delimitation commission set up by the previous government failed to act independently from political interests, the current commission is also neglecting the people's democratic rights. He stressed it is a serious matter if a responsible minister and an experienced official could not make a proper assessment of their responsibility for the people on their democratic rights when the whole country's attention is focused on the matter. The election monitor urged the government not to dishonor the people's rights further and prepare the environment conducive to conduct the LG elections without further delay. (ANI)