Lanka Polls Watch to launch extensive dialogue on East PC polls

 Lanka Polls Watch, a collective of free citizens and stands to promote peace, democracy and development in the, intends to launch an extensive dialogue in society in relation to the polls for the Eastern Provincial Council.
LPW concedes that if this election is not held in a free and fair manner, it will further aggravate the ethnic issue, which is a clear portrayal of the complexity of the conflict the country is faced with.

A statement issued by LPW said, "Lanka Polls Watch (LPW) is a collective of free citizens and stands to promote peace, democracy and development in our country."
     
"LPW therefore intends to launch an extensive dialogue in society in relation to the most talked-about issue of polls for the Eastern Provincial Council within the context of peace, democracy and development."

"Elections and voting rights of the public are basic principles governing people's sovereignty in modern democracies. These principles undoubtedly, are in existence in our country, although it is no secret that elections had on many occasions, been manipulated for petty political advantages. The by-elections in Dedigama, the District Development Council Elections for Jaffna and the Provincial Council Polls for the Northwestern Province are few of such cases in point. The country suffered immeasurable losses in terms of democracy and development due to these elections and the two main political parties that ruled the country with other parties at times in coalition, can not avoid responsibility."

"Therefore, our political culture does not permit us to recognize the mere conducting of an election as a supreme democratic right of the people. Democracy only becomes a reality when voters could exercise their franchise in an environment free of fear and threats to life."

"Taken in that context, the East PC polls may end up as a disputed and decisive one in the annals of our country's democratic history. It is of utmost importance that voters are ensured a violence-free conducive environment to cast their votes. LPW concedes that if this election is not held in a free and fair manner, it will further aggravate the ethnic issue, which is a clear portrayal of the complexity of the conflict we are faced with. On the other hand, it will breach the public confidence in democratic system of governance. Furthermore, the outcome will seriously challenge the sovereignty of the Eastern as well as the Southern polity. Therefore, irrespective of whichever party emerges victorious, LPW considers it as its responsibility to commit itself to ensure a free and fair environment for people in the East to exercise their valued right to vote."
  
 
"LPW works on these basic assumptions in evaluating the East PC Polls to ensure freedom and democracy. Accordingly, this LPW report records incidents of violence and other ensuing tendencies that broke a week of cold silence after nominations were handed over."