Election Commissioner's inaction has led to this situation, says CaFFE

The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) said many candidates in the forthcoming Western Provincial Council (WPC) elections have failed to declare their assets and liabilities.

CaFFE media spokesman Keerthi Tennakoon told BBC Sandeshaya that only nearly 30 candidates have already declared assets out of 2000 candidates.

Legal provisions

"There are legal provisions that clearly say candidates should declare their assets during the nomination period or within 60 days after the nominations".

The Commissioner in our view does have the power to enforce this provision. On the other hand if he does not have the power he can seek judicial remedy CaFFE spokesman

The spokesman accused leaders of political parties of failing to order their candidates to obey the law in the country.

Deputy Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya told BBC Sandeshaya that the Commissioner does not have legal authority to order the candidates to declare assets.

The CaFFE spokesman, however, disagrees.

Keerthi Tennakoon said: "The Commissioner in our view does have the power to enforce this provision. On the other hand if he does not have the power he can seek judicial remedy".

The inaction of Elections Commissioner Dayananada Dissanayake, Mr. Tennakoon said, is one of the "major reasons" that has "led to this situation".

The elections for the WPC are due to be held on 25 April.