• PAFFREL complains to EC on ‘undue influence’ of public servants’ salary hike & personal income tax reduction

The Election Commission (EC) has stated that it will take necessary measures if any decisions made by the Cabinet of Ministers these days impact the electoral process pertaining to the Presidential Election.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said that the EC has the authority to find out whether the programmes implemented by the Government these days affect the electoral process, even if no complaint has been received. 

“Whether complaints are received or not, we can investigate measures that affect the electoral process. When we receive the decisions taken by the Cabinet, we study them and if there is any decision that affects the electoral process, we take the necessary steps.”

When queried as to whether the EC would look into the Ministry of Defence's recent decision to allow Parliamentarians to purchase repeater guns and keep them even after their term ends, he said that the EC has not paid attention to the matter thus far. 

“We have to find out if this programme is being implemented under a general procedure or targeting the Presidential Election. Currently, we have not focused on it. However, we can discuss with the Defence Ministry and see.”

Over the years, politicians in Sri Lanka have developed a reputation for distributing various forms of assistance and incentives to the public in the lead-up to elections. These actions are timed to coincide with their election campaigns, targeting voters in a bid to secure their support. These giveaways range from financial aid and subsidies to material goods, all aimed at swaying public opinion and raising their chances of victory.

In order to prevent such activities, the EC and several election monitoring organisations such as the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections have initiated channels of receiving complaints from the public. The EC recently stated that its team of investigation officers look into such complaints immediately upon their receipt, and take necessary action such as referring them to the Police. 

Meanwhile, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), has, in a letter to Rathnayake, described that the Cabinet announcement of the decision to increase the salaries of State sector employees from next year (2025), and the proposed reduction of personal income tax, as being construed as constituting acts of undue influence of electors in connection with the free exercise of their franchise at the upcoming Presidential Poll including its postal vote.