SC decides to inquire into East PC election petition

[TamilNet, Saturday, 12 July 2008, 01:28 GMT]
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka Friday decided to take up for inquiry the election petition filed by three voters of the Batticaloa district seeking the court to declare null and void the results of the East Provincial Council (EPC) election held on May 10, legal sources in Colombo said. The Court directed the registrar to send notices to the respondents to appear in court on the next date.

Petitioners have cited that free and fair election was not held due to intimidation and threat, preventing voters to exercise their franchise without fear. Petitioners further stated that large scale rigging took place on the polling day in several polling stations in the Batticaloa district, legal sources said.

The petitioners have cited the Chief Minister of the EPC, Commissioner of Elections, Batticaloa District Returning Officer, and the Deputy Inspector General of Police for the eastern region as respondents in their petitions.

The petitions came up for inquiry before a three member bench of the Supreme Court. The bench comprised Justices Shiranee Bandaranaike (Chairman), Salim Marsook, and Jagath Balapattebendige.