The National Centre for Election Monitoring (NCEM) has asked the Chairman of the Election Commission, Nimal G. Punchihewa to work according to a program which will not inconvenience Government officials during the upcoming polls.
The letter signed by NCEM’s Executive Director S.B. Herath stated that the atmosphere created by State institutions, including the Election Commission chairman, is unfavourable to conduct an election smoothly.
“We believe it is unlikely that the Finance Ministry Secretary or any other Secretary can declare that financing is not available when it is available.
However, the Finance Ministry Secretary in an affidavit to the Court stated that there is no money. If this is the case, the question arises whether the requested money would be received,” the letter added.