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Home > Struggle for Tamil Eelam > Democracy, Sri Lanka Style >  Election related Violence, General Elections October 2000 - report by Centre for Monitoring Election Violence, 9 October 2000

 Democracy Continues, Sri Lanka Style...

Election Related Violence - General Elections 2000
report by Centre for Monitoring Election Violence, 9 October 2000

CMEV was formed in 1997 by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the Coalition Against Political Violence as an independent and non- partisan organisation to monitor the incidence of election-related violence

"...The entire election is a sham and a fraud in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu electorates, as well as in the "uncleared" areas and regions of current conflict and civilian displacement in the Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Mannar and Jaffna districts. It is estimated that approximately 200 polling centres which should cater to 250,000 registered voters will be relocated in areas utterly inaccessible to the legitimate voters in these areas.... In summary it should be noted that the campaign phase of the 2000 General Election has proved to be both qualitatively and quantitatively more violent than the 1999 Presidential Election, where the total number of incidents reported was 1483 of which only 48% were Major ones. Though CMEV did not monitor the 1994 General Election, available data indicate that the current election is more violent...


At the close of the campaign, CMEV has recorded 1726 incidents of violence, of which 940 (54.5%) are Major incidents and 786 (45.5%) are Minor ones. The run-up to the General Election became increasingly violent during the last week, totaling 664 incidents of which October 7th and 8th accounted for 134 and 119 respectively. The 33-day election campaign resulted in an average of 52.3, while the last week averaged 94.9 incidents per day.

It is clear that the level of violence has increased both qualitatively and quantitatively in the past two weeks, resulting in 62.1% of all incidents recorded so far, for 80.3% of the Murders and 65.4% of Attempted Murders reported in the entire campaign.

The cumulative count of incidents reported to CMEV so far, and their disaggregation by type and alleged perpetrator is as follows:

SUMMARY OF INCIDENTS REPORTED IN
GENERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN (•)
(•) This summary contains the total number of incidents together with a breakdown of the alleged violations of the two major contenders and those of unknown political affiliation. The small numbers of incidents alleged against other parties have been left out for the sake of brevity.

Type of Incident

Number of Incidents Reported

Number in which PA is alleged perpetrator

Number in which UNP is alleged perpetrator

Number in which perpetrator is not identified

Murder

61

10

02

48*

Attempted Murder

26

14

04

07

Hurt

232

132

58

28

Grievous Hurt

29

15

06

07

Assault

336

198

81

37

Threat & Intimidation

187

109

20

49

Misuse of State Resources

25

24

01

--

Robbery

11

04

01

05

Arson

33

11

06

16

Mischief

255

102

35

111

Threat

356

187

95

57

Damage to Property

94

55

08

26

Election Offences

35

07

05

17

Others

46

14

06

21

TOTAL

1726

882
(51.1%)

328
(19.0%)

429
(24.9%)
 

[*41 of these murders are believed to the result of LTTE suicide attacks.]

Of these 1726 complaints, 751 (43.5%) were reported by supporters of the UNP, 526 (30.5%) by supporters of the PA, 198 (11.5%) by the JVP, and 118 (06.8%) by persons without any known political affiliation. 117 (22.2%) of the PA’s 526 complaints were directed against supporters of the PA itself, the only significant examples of intra-party rivalry recorded in this campaign.

The PA’s alleged share of the violence is 882 incidents or 51.1% which is more than two-and-a-half times the UNP’s contribution of 328 (19.0%). Persons of unknown political affiliation are being held accountable for 429 (24.9%), and the JVP for 12 incidents. In terms of the major incidents alone, the PA is allegedly responsible for 55% and the UNP for 19%. If you consider only the major incidents in which the alleged perpetrator has been identified, the PA and UNP taken together account for 93.7% of all complaints.

Regionally, the Western and North-Western remain the most violent areas, recording 356 and 256 incidents respectively. Sabaragamuwa has recorded the least number of incidents among the provinces, but it too has produced 127 incidents, where the violence is concentrated in certain electorates such as Rambukkana and Aranayake. A significant increase in violations was recorded in the last two weeks from the North-East Province, making it the fifth in order of violence with 191 incidents, behind the Central (223) and Uva (212) provinces. The North Central and Southern Provinces have recorded 180 and 181 incidents respectively.

In terms of districts, Gampaha has produced 162 incidents, Kurunegala 140, Colombo 121, Badulla 118, Kandy and Puttalam 116 each, Anuradhapura 99, Digamadulla 96, Moneragala 94 and Kegalle 90. Outside the North-East, the lowest number of incidents has been recorded from Ratnapura (37) and Galle (49), but the types of incidents recorded even in these areas do not leave any room for complacency as regards polling day. In general, the escalation of violence has affected all of the districts adversely, creating a climate of tension and fear among ordinary voters.

Assessment of Electoral Divisions on the Basis of Election Campaign Violence

Based on monitors’ reports, international observer assessments, police complaints and follow-up, CMEV has determined that the level and intensity of violence in the following electorates has been so high during the campaign as to render a free and fair election in these areas unlikely. These 19 electorates have been so flawed during the campaign, the voters so intimidated that the final outcome of voting may be significantly distorted.

This assessment does not, however, include those areas in which the poll is non-viable due to the current war. The entire election is a sham and a fraud in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu electorates, as well as in the "uncleared" areas and regions of current conflict and civilian displacement in the Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Mannar and Jaffna districts. It is estimated that approximately 200 polling centres which should cater to 250,000 registered voters will be relocated in areas utterly inaccessible to the legitimate voters in these areas.

PROVINCE

DISTRICT

ELECTORATE

REGISTERED VOTERS

Western

Gampaha

Katana

103,105

Central

Kandy

Patha Dumbara

Nawalapitiya

64,618

70,727

Central

Nuwara Eliya

Hanguranketa

58,045

Central

Matale

Matale

65,389

Southern

Hambantota

Beliatta

69,413

North Central

Anuradhapura

Kalawewa

93,423

North Central

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa

103,667

North Western

Puttalam

Anamaduwa

Chilaw

82,002

89,650

North Western

Kurunegala

Wariyapola

Galgamuwa

61,293

81,446

Uva

Badulla

Mahiyangana

68,260

Uva

Moneragala

Wellawaya

101,765

Sabaragamuwa

Kegalle

Aranayaka

Rambukkana

46,852

55,564

North-East

Jaffna

Kayts

51,007

North-East

Digamadulla

Kalmunai

Pottuvil

56,513

113,519

TOTAL

 

19

1,436,258

In addition, in the following electorates extensive pre-election violence, including the systematic intimidation of voters, is of sufficient magnitude to contaminate the election result even if no further violations take place on October 10th. However, both these 29 electorates and those 19 listed above comprise the areas in which CMEV anticipates the most significant violence and violations during the polling.

PROVINCE

DISTRICT

ELECTORATE

REGISTERED VOTERS

Western

Gampaha

Attanagalla

Gampaha

Minuwangoda

103,895

114,218

101,131

Western

Colombo

Kotte

Kolonnawa

Kaduwela

71,617

99,486

130,721

Central

Kandy

Gampola

Galagedera

75,067

47,418

Central

Nuwara Eliya

Walapane

65,424

Central

Matale

Rattota

72,597

Southern

Hambantota

Tissamaharama

118,516

Southern

Matara

Devinuwara

Weligama

Deniyaya

69,003

79,629

76,101

Southern

 Galle

Hiniduma

81,128

North Central

Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura West

75,498

North Western

Puttalam

Puttalam-Kalpitiya

82,077

North Western

Kurunegala

Hiriyala

Nikaweratiya

Polgahawela

76,763

74,822

63,613

Uva

Badulla

Badulla

43,882

Uva

Moneragala

Bibile

Moneragala

60,633

75,537

Sabaragamuwa

Kegalle

Yatiyantota

Kegalle

61,299

60,082

North-East

Wanni

Vavuniya

91,598

North-East

Digamadulla

Amparai

Samanthurai

124,405

58,100

TOTAL

 

28

2,254,260


Allegations Against Individual Politicians

CMEV has received two or more complaints against the following politicians and/or their supporters.

POLITICIAN & PARTY AFFILIATION

DISTRICT

NUMBER & TYPE OF ALLEGATIONS
AGAINST CANDIDATE

NUMBER & TYPE OF ALLEGATIONS
AGAINST SUPPORTERS

D M Dassanayake (PACandidate)

Puttalam

02 (Assault)

07 (Assault, Attempted Murder, Damage to Property, Grievous Hurt)

Bandula Basnayake (PA Candidate)

Puttalam

01 (Assault)

07 (Attempted Murder, Assault, Threat & Intimidation)

Priyankara Jayaratne (PA Candidate)

Puttalam

01 (Assault)

07 (Assault, Threat & Intimidation)

Anuruddha Ratwatte (PA Candidate)

Kandy

--

02 (Grievous Hurt, Assault)

S Rajaratnam (UNP Candidate)

Kandy

03 (Threat & Intimidation, Threat)

 

Thilak Rajapakse
(PA Chairman Pujapitiya PS)

Kandy

03 (Assault, Hurt, Threat & Intimidation)

 

T D Jayatissa
(PA Chairman Rattota PS)

Matale

04 (Damage to Property, Threat & Intimidation, Assault)

 

Dilan Perera
(PA Candidate)

Badulla

--

16 (Murder, Attempted Murder, Threat & Intimidation, Hurt, Damage to Property)

Vijayamuni Zoysa
(PA Candidate)

Moneragala

--

02

Maheepala Herath
(PA Candidate)

Kegalle

--

06 (Hurt, Assault, Threat & Intimidation)

Lalith Dissanayake
(PA Candidate)

Kegalle

--

03 (Hurt, Assault, Threat)

H R Mithrapala
(PA Candidate)

Kegalle

--

02 (Assault)

John Seneviratne
(PA Candidate)

Ratnapura

--

03 (Assault, Hurt)

Duminda Dissanayake
(PA Candidate)

Anuradhapura

--

17 (Grievous Hurt, Assault, Threat & Intimidation, Damage to Property, Misuse of State Resources)

Shantha Pemaratne
(PA Candidate)

Anuradhapura

--

03 (Threat & Intimidation, Threat)

Janak Adikari
(PA Candidate)

Anuradhapura

--

02 (Hurt, Assault)

W B Ekanayake (UNP Candidate)

Anuradhapura

--

02 (Hurt)

Maithripala Sirisena
(PA Candidate)

Polonnaruwa

Gross Misuse of State Resources

13 (Assault, Threat & Intimidation, Threat)

P K S Jayaratne (UNP Candidate)

Polonnaruwa

--

02 (Grievous Hurt, Threat & Intimidation)

Olitha Premathiratne
(UNP Candidate)

Gampaha

06 (Damage to Property, Threat, Mischief)

02 (Threat, Damage)

Jeyaraj Fernandopulle
(PA Candidate)

Gampaha

--

04 (Attempted Murder, Damage to Property, Threat & Intimidation)

Edward Gunasekara
(UNP Candidate)

Gampaha

01 (Assault)

01 (Mischief)

Prasanna Ranatunga
(PA Candidate)

Gampaha

01 (Mischief)

02 (Threat & Intimidation, damage to Property)


Attack on Party Offices

CMEV has received complaints that 141 regional and local party offices have been attacked during the campaign. Though many of these are, in fact, makeshift structures and not officially registered offices, it is nonetheless a serious indicator of the level and extent of violence that such a significant number of these incidents have been reported, since the violence seeks to strike at the very heart of an opponent’s election campaign.

It is also significant that the otherwise relatively less violent Southern Province has recorded the highest incidence of attacks on rival party offices, and this may be a more accurate indicator of the electoral climate than the mere aggregate of incidents. A notable feature of these attacks is the reluctance of the aggrieved party to make an official police complaint.

A number of reasons have been adduced to explain this, which include the fact that many of these offices are not officially registered. CMEV, however, considers the main reason to be the fact that none of the parties wish to acknowledge their weakness vis-à-vis another, and in this sense to make official complaints will be to publicise their vulnerability as well as, in their view, to give added importance to the incident.

Province & District No. of Party "Offices" Attacked

PA UNP JVP Other

Alleged Perpetrator of Attacks on Offices

PA     UNP   JVP   Other
Total No Attacks
NORTH CENTRAL PROVINCE

Anuradhapura

Polonnaruwa

 

  


03

 


01

06

   

 


05

 

 


01

  

  


01

03

10




01

09

CENTRAL PROVINCE

Kandy

Matale

N’Eliya

 


01

--

--

 


01

01

--

 


--

04

--

 


02

--

--

 


01

04

 


02

 

  


01

01

09


04

05

UVA PROVINCE

Badulla

Moneragala

  

03

03

 

03

03

 

02

01

 

01

 

03

03

 

01

 

05

04

16

09

07

SABARAGAMUWA
PROVINCE

Kegalle

Ratnapura

 


02

--

 


05

--

 


02

01

  


04

01

 


01

--

 

 

 


04

10


09

01

NORTH-EAST PROVINCE

Jaffna

Wanni

Batticaloa

Trincomalee

Digamadulla

 

 

 

 

 

01

01

  

 

 



01

 

 

 

 

01

   

 

 

01

01

03

 

01

02

NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE

Kurunegala

Puttalam

 


--

01

 


03

01

 


02

--

  


04

01

 


--

01

  


01

07


05

02

WESTERN PROVINCE

Colombo

Kalutara

Gampaha

 

02

 

09

01

08

 

 04

 

 04

 

 02

 

 02

 

 06

 

08

 

 

 

  

11

01

06

32

17

01

14

SOUTHERN PROVINCE

Galle

Matara

Hambantota

 

01

10

04

 

 05

11

13

 

03

07

--

  

04

07

07

 

--

02

03

  

 05

19

07

54

09

28

17

 TOTAL 3073 3008 59 11 -- 71

141

CMEV’s previous reports have highlighted issues related to police involvement in election violence as well as the partisan attitude displayed by some police officers towards the People’s Alliance (See Press Communique of Monday, October 2, 2000). CMEV has also written in detail on the situation in the North-East Province, and particularly in the Jaffna District (See Press Communiques of Tuesday, September 12, 2000, Wednesday, September 20, 2000, and Monday, October 2, 2000). Since these concerns remain substantially unaltered the current report will not dwell on them though CMEV reiterates the crucial role that both police partiality and the ongoing war has and will play in subverting a free and fair general election on October 10, 2000.

In summary it should be noted that the campaign phase of the 2000 General Election has proved to be both qualitatively and quantitatively more violent than the 1999 Presidential Election, where the total number of incidents reported was 1483 of which only 48% were Major ones. Though CMEV did not monitor the 1994 General Election, available data indicate that the current election is more violent.

CMEV reiterates its position that party leaders owe a public responsibility to ensure that their candidates and supporters refrain from violating election laws. The increased violence of this campaign, the impunity with which the perpetrators blatantly flout both the law and the norms of civilised society, the manner in which the rival media groups and particularly the state-controlled media manipulate election-related coverage, the rampant misuse of state resources, all point to the active culpability of the political leadership in this country in the creation of an environment that cannot be deemed conducive to a free and fair exercise of the public franchise.


Dr. P. Saravanamuttu
CMEV

Bandula Padmakumara
CMEV

Dr. Arjuna Parakrama
CMEV
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