Election monitoring body the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections has written to the Inspector General of Police CD Wickramaratne over the failure to arrest those responsbile for levelling death threats at members of the National Election Commission.
Executive Director of PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi in the letter dated today (30), commended the IGP for providing prompt security to the Commission members who received death threats.
However, he rued that despite the lapse of 12-days since the threats were levelled, the Police has failed to nab those responsible.
The letter stated that even if the individual is residing overseas and levelled death threats it is evident that such groups are supported locally.
PAFFREL said the personal residences of certain Commissioners have been photographed and sent to them via WhatsApp as a means of intimidation.
Hettiarachchi said the relevant information can be acquired by looking into the payments of the phone connections.
The letter notes that the Police has talented investigative officers and the technology to identify perpetrators and questioned the delays in taking action as such individuals continuing to remain at large poses a risk to members of the Election Commission from engaging in duties.
Hettiarachchi said the delay in taking action will also tarnish the trust the public has in the Police and in the free and fair conduct of elections.
Therefore, he called for the IGP to conduct prompt investigations and to take suitable action at the earliest.
