CMEV delegation meets Jaffna LTTE political head

[TamilNet, Friday, 26 March 2004, 16:42 GMT]
Mr.C. Ilamparithi, Jaffna district political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Friday told a delegation of the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) that armed activists of the Eelam Peoples' Democratic Party (EPDP)have engaged in unlawful activities such as intimidating, assaulting and provoking the people of the peninsula while conducting election campaign, sources said.

A delegation of the CMEV Friday evening met with Mr. Ilamparithi at his office. The discussion commenced around 4.30 p.m. and continued for about an hour, said sources.

The CMEV delegation comprised Messrs Derek White, Sascha Muller, Peter Joseph Leblant and K.J.Anderson.

Mr. Ilamparithi told the delegation that LTTE would extend its fullest co-operation to ensure a free and fair general in the Jaffna district. He assured that LTTE would not get involved any violation of election laws.

He however requested that CMEV delegation to take more precautionary measures in transporting ballot boxes from the polling stations, particularly from the Muhamalai area to the Jaffna district secretariat for counting. Polling stations are to be located at Muhamalai area for voters residing in LTTE held areas.

The CMEV delegation assured Mr.Ilamparuthi that they would convey his request to the European Union Election Observation Commission (EU EOM).

Meanwhile, the CMEV delegation held discussions with Jaffna University Students Union representatives and representatives of the political parties and independent groups contesting the forthcoming general election in the Jaffna electoral district, sources said.

The CMEV delegation also held discussions with Jaffna based journalists, sources said.