President says people enjoyed 'democratic rights' and 'live in freedom'

In a statement issued after winning the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) polls, the president said the people have endorsed his government’s policy of ‘restoring democracy’ in the region.

The ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has won 20 seats in the 37 member council.

'Enjoyed democratic rights'

“This election emphasizes the policy of the government to create an environment in which all our people could enjoy democratic rights and live in freedom and harmony,” president’s statement said.

The main opposition, United National Party (UNP) led alliance have secured 15 votes in the PC.

	UNP alleges widespread election violence and malpractises

However, the UNP rejected the result alleging that people could not enjoy their democratic rights due to widespread malpractices including intimidation by the ruling coalition.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told media on Sunday that over 90 UNP polling booth agents were chased away on Saturday by the government supporters.

The Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), formerly known as Karuna faction, contested the PC polls together with the ruling alliance.

Polling agents 'threatened'

Armed TMVP members led by Pillayan and government ministers are accused of involved in intimidating voters and vote rigging.

Armed pro government groups who forcefully entered the polling booths in Thirukkovil, Potuvil and Mutur have rigged the votes, he added.

This election emphasizes the policy of the government to create an environment in which all our people could enjoy democratic rights and live in freedom and harmony President's statement

UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella said the party will seek judicial remedy against the election malpractices.

However, the president says the voters have a given a mandate to the government to ‘defeat terrorism’.

“I note that the people of the East have given a clear mandate for peace through the defeat of terrorism,” the statement said.

Addressing an election rally in the east, Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa earlier said that the government’s war against the LTTE would depend upon the outcome of the elections.