The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) has written to plantation companies as well as the Nuwara Eliya District Election Deputy Commissioner on getting plantation workers to participate at political rallies during their shift times. Election monitoring body said that their on-ground observers reported instances where political parties would organise spot meetings hindering their shift work and forcing them to sit through two-hour meetings. In the meantime, these workers are also asked to ensure that they pluck the required amount of tea leaves for the day. “On 14 July, we were given lead information to a canvassing meeting that was targeted at plantation workers which was conducted during their work shifts. The first incident was reported from the Nuwara Eliya Electoral District where supporters of district candidate Palani Digambaram, who is contesting under the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), had forced plantation workers of the Dilery, Hornsy, Berat, Dilikutry, Bergam, Linford, Dabalkaw in Kotiyagala, and Gouravilla, as instructed by their estate superintendents, to take part in the political meetings during their work shift times,” CMEV National Co-ordinator Manjula Gajanayake told The Sunday Morning. While the workers had to sit through a two-hour meeting, they were also asked to ensure that they pluck the day’s required tea leaves or face a wage cut if they do not achieve their target. The CMEV observed that the workflow of these people has been disrupted due to this matter and that they also face a wage cut if they are unable to pluck the target amount of tea leaves. The CMEV also pointed out that those involved can be penalised for violating Clause 79 (I) of the Parliamentary Elections Act of 1981 for unsolicited influence of voters. – Sarah Hannan