EPDP accused of intimidation

[TamilNet, Friday, 08 September 2000, 15:21 GMT]
The Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) has blamed the EPDP for threatening and intimidating its candidates contesting next election in the northern Jaffna District, scheduled for 10 October.

Mr.Mavai Senathirajah, former TULF parliamentarian said two of his party's candidates, Thambu Lokanathan and Kaci Velayutham, have withdrawn their nominations after their lives were threatened by armed EPDP members.

He said EPDP cadres and candidates who are freely moving around with arms have also threatened wives and children of TULF candidates, and added more candidates may withdraw from contesting the polls.

Fourteen political parties and six independent groups have fielded their nominations to contest the Jaffna electoral District. Nine legislators are to be elected for the northern district, one less than that was elected in the last elections. Officials say this is because number of voters have diminished in the electorate due to displacement.