Controversy over North Eastern elections

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 02 February 1999, 13:08 GMT]
The Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) politburo member, Mr. Maavai Senathirajah, said that conditions in the North-eastern province are not conducive for the proper conduct of elections.

The government may decide to hold the North - Eastern provincial council elections (NEPC) after last week's supreme court ruling that the postponement of provincial council elections was illegal, said sources.

The TULF member said that as free and fair elections could not be held in the North-Western province it would be difficult to hold elections in the North Eastern province with the on going war.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has urged the Commissioner of Elections to hold the NEPC elections.

Many ex - militant and para-military groups are ready for elections in the province, the sources added.