No cause for postponing Batticaloa elections - Pafferel

Chairman of the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFEREL), Kingsley Rodrigo said that holding elections in Batticaloa was a part of the democratic process and that there were no strong reasons to put off elections in Batticaloa. Addressing the media yesterday (3), Rodrigo also mentioned that there had been worse situations under which elections had been held. He cautioned however that instances of violence and political clashes could not be ruled out.

However, Rodrigo said that he would seek an interview with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to seek his support for a free and fair election and to reduce to the minimum the movements of those with fire arms and the misusing of state property.

Refuting certain fears raised by the Leader of the Opposition and others, Rodrigo stated that elections would give the people the opportunity to elect their own representatives which had been denied to them for a long time.

Six political parties and twenty two Independent Groups are contesting this year's local government elections scheduled for March 10.