ITAK fields Muslim candidates for Jaffna elections

[TamilNet, Saturday, 18 February 2006, 14:04 GMT]
"To show that Muslims and the Tamils have been living in harmony in the NorthEast and to further reinforce the amity between the two peoples we are competing on the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) ticket for the forthcoming Jaffna Municipal Council elections," said Moulavi S. M. Shahil and S. M .Suhair in a press meet held in Jaffna Saturday afternoon.

"Several nefarious elements which are against finding a just and fair solution to the Tamil National question, are trying to create divisions between the Muslims and Tamils in the NorthEast. Our action here will derail such efforts and highlight to the International Community of the deep cultural affinity between the two peoples," the candidates further said.

The candidates added that they are satisfied at the efforts taken on the resettlement of the displaced Muslim people back in Jaffna, and that they reject the accusation that Tamil people and the movement have not taken active steps to facilitate speedy resettlement.

Three parties, the ITAK, Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) and Peoples Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) are competing for the 23 seats for the Jaffna Municipal Council.

The election officials have requested the parties to nominate 29 candidates each. Voters will be required to select a party, followed by 23 votes for the candidates of choice. The votes for parties will be counted, and the 23 seats will be apportioned proportional to party votes. The candidates from each party will then be selected based on the preferential votes.

Election officials also said, a member selected on preferential vote, can decide to offer his seat to another candidate from the same party.