Notice issued regarding Batti poll

Wasantha Ramanayake

The Appeal Court yesterday issued notice on respondents in the election petition challenging the recently concluded Eastern Provincial council election in respect of the Batticaloa district.

The Bench comprised Justices Ranjith Silva and A. W. A. Salam.

Petitioners A. I. M. Marsook of Kattankudy, M. H. S. Ismail of Valachchenai and L. T. M. Furkan of Meeravodai cited Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, Aliyar Salih Javahir and Alim Mohamed Hisbullah Mohamed, the Elections Commissioner, Batticaloa Returning Officer, the returned candidates and several others as respondents.

The petitioners sought to declare that the election in respect of Batticaloa district was void or in the alternative to unseat two returned candidates second and third respondents Aliyar Salih Javahir Salih and Alim Mohamed Hisbullah Mohamed, who were alleged to have been involved in election malpractice.

The petitioners stated that they were members of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and contested at the election under the UNP nominations. The petitioners stated that the election in respect of the Batticaloa district was void since it was marred with violence, general intimidation, acts of non-compliance in terms of the Provincial Councils Election Act.

They stated that a section of the voters was prevented from voting for the party of their choice and there had been instances of widespread impersonation and ballot stuffing in several areas. The petitioners further stated that first respondent Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan and his Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP) party members carried arms during the election campaign.

The notice will be returnable on July 14. Ikram Mohamed PC appeared for petitioners.