21.1.2008
The Supreme Court, rejecting the application made by the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance, pleading that the local government elections scheduled to be held shortly in the Batticaloa district be postponed, ruled that it was not possible to block the democratic process.
The TNA had argued that the 'security situation is not conducive to holding free and fair elections'. TNA MP, K. Srikantha had stated that 'the issue involves the sovereignty of the people and their inalienable right to exercise their franchise without fear'. However, political analysts have pointed out that the TNA itself has been the direct beneficiaries of such conditions prior to the liberation of the Eastern Province from the LTTE, arguing that it was the 'inalienable right to exerice the franchise' was something long denied to people living in uncleared areas, who had to either vote for candidates approved by the LTTE or forced to boycott elections.
Nominations to the local bodies in Batticaloa District were accepted from January 14 and polling is expected to take place in February.
Courtesy
- Government Information