• 4.41% increase in cases of misuse of State resources between 2019 and 2024: PAFFREL
• Election monitors note impact of abusing State resources on voter behaviour 

The misuse of State resources has become a critical issue during the current Presidential Election period, as highlighted by various election monitoring organisations such as the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV), and Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL). Concerns have been raised about the impact of such practices on voter behaviour and the integrity of the electoral process.

PAFFREL has reported 213 complaints related to abuse of State power, resources, and employees in the run-up to this year’s Presidential Election between 26 July and 18 September, with 88 confirmed cases. In comparison, the 2019 Presidential Election saw 204 such complaints, with 110 confirmed. This reflects a 4.41% increase in reported cases compared to the 2019 election, although confirmed cases have decreased by 20%. 

The types of misuse include use of State property and State vehicles for campaign purposes; attempts to influence State officials; appointments, transfers, and promotions of State officials targeting the election; use of State officials and security sources for election campaign purposes; and providing Government aid for political gain.

PAFFREL has recorded 78 incidents specifically related to the misuse of State property, with 35 confirmed. Additionally, out of the 63 complaints concerning appointments, transfers, and promotions for State officials targeting the election, 15 have been confirmed. Of 30 reports on using State officials and security sources for campaign purposes, 16 have been validated. 

There have also been 11 reports, with seven confirmed, related to State vehicle misuse; 12 reports, with seven confirmed, of attempts to influence State officials; and 19 incidents of providing Government aid for political gain, with eight confirmed.

Influence on voter behaviour

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi emphasised the significant impact of such misuse on voter behaviour. 

“Recruitments and promotions, development programmes, and Government welfare schemes are being leveraged to sway voters. For example, promises of recruiting 50,000 graduates to the Government sector and a proposed salary increase for Government officers were strategically timed to influence the electorate,” he noted. 

“Just two months ago, the Minister had said they were not in a position to raise salaries even by Rs. 1 when trade unions demanded an increase of Rs. 10,000 or Rs. 20,000. But just two days before postal voting, an official promise of a salary increase starting in January was made.”

When asked if the misuse of Government property had increased compared to 2019, Hettiarachchi emphasised that numbers alone did not reflect the full impact. “A single incident, like a salary increase for Government officials, can influence the entire society. Similarly, recruiting 50,000 graduates affects many people directly,” he said.

During its second media briefing on Wednesday (18), CMEV Chief Operating Officer (COO) Prof. Arjuna Parakrama also pointed out that the abuse of State power could alter the nature of the election. 

“We have reported 64 incidents of direct State power abuse, such as the dismissal of state ministers and the announcement of benefits without proper authorisation. Such actions, especially promises made right before voting, undermine the credibility of the electoral process,” he said. 

“This uncertainty leads people to wonder whether promises like salary increases starting 1 January or an increase in Mahapola scholarships will be fulfilled. How will these promises be implemented and are they even feasible?”

Proactive steps to curb malpractices 

Prof. Parakrama further noted: “There is a weakness in our legal system. When a president becomes a candidate, something akin to an interim government is necessary, as the current system is flawed. The president’s power does not diminish simply because he becomes a candidate, resulting in an abuse of power. 

“What we are seeing now is unprecedented, with the President’s Media Division disseminating misinformation, such as false information about postal voting. This level of direct interference has not happened before.”

Hettiarachchi further noted that many welfare and development programmes had been expedited in anticipation of the Election Commission (EC) announcing the election in early August. 

“Despite a financial crisis limiting development funds in 2022 and 2023, the Government was trying to exhaust the entire annual budget within seven months due to the election. We have filed cases and the court has instructed not to use Government power for propaganda activities,” he said.

Election monitoring bodies have taken proactive steps to curb these malpractices. PAFFREL has filed legal cases and reported numerous violations to the EC, which has acted to halt various forms of misuse. 

“We have taken legal steps. We filed one case and it was successful. For the rest, we informed the EC and it took action to stop many of these instances. We have been successful in curbing more than 50 such cases so far,” Hettiarachchi noted.

“Other examples include the misuse of programmes like the ‘Suraksha’ student insurance scheme and the distribution of ‘Urumaya’ deeds, which have been halted by the EC. Meetings with specialist doctors organised by the Health Minister as part of the campaign were also stopped. While candidates can campaign, they cannot use ministerial resources to promote any candidate,” he added.

EC Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake stated: “We’ve stopped incidents like providing Rs. 3,000 to pensioners and distributing food at certain locations. We’ve also monitored the use of Government vehicles to ensure they are not being exploited for campaign purposes.”

TISL Senior Manager – Programmes Kirupairajah Gowriswaran said: “As a monitoring organisation focusing on the misuse of public resources, we have received 1,127 cases so far. We’ve collected complaints and summarised, verified, and submitted them to the EC. The commission has taken immediate action to halt these incidents through its officers. For example, minor complaints such as road construction and food distribution were stopped immediately.

“Out of the 1,127 cases reported, around 600 were successfully stopped. Once verified, we informed the EC and it intervened to halt them,” he pointed out.

Challenges in enforcing laws against misuse

Hettiarachchi further noted: “During elections, reforms can’t be implemented. Perhaps after the elections, we need to review all these loopholes and make some legal changes. There are sufficient laws in place; the issue is with implementation. 

“The EC has issued a circular stating that if any politician misuses Government resources, the respective secretaries are responsible. However, the challenge arises when the head of state misuses these resources, as there is no one to hold them accountable. 

“In Sri Lanka, even in previous elections, it is often the head of state who is the main violator. This makes it difficult for the EC to control such actions.”

He added: “The laws are not effective enough. It depends on the person leading the institution. We have enough laws and systems in place. Initially, we were concerned about holding a Presidential Election without an Inspector General of Police (IGP), but the Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) has been managing it effectively. Whenever we file a complaint – for example, three days ago we reported an issue to the Police – they take action within 24 hours.”

Gowriswaran highlighted challenges in obtaining precise information from the State sector. “The only issue is that we could not get exact information from the State sector,” he said. 

“For example, very recently two or three presidential candidates were using Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) helicopters for travel. When we applied for a Right to Information (RTI) regarding this, the SLAF refused to provide the information, claiming it could not share details with a foreign organisation. But we are not a foreign organisation; we are a local chapter and not connected to any international entity.

“Candidates are making promises to pensioners and Government officers, but when we ask about the funding source, there is no response. Fake promises should not be given. Of course, every candidate has a manifesto and can make commitments, but they need to have a solid source of funding, especially the ruling party,” Gowriswaran added.