Govt.’s attempt to block election petition being filed – to obstruct General’s signature being taken

Lanka-e-News, Feb.11, 2010, 9.30AM) It is reported that the Govt. is scheming to obstruct the filing of election petition against the recent Presidential election results by the Presidential candidate Gen. Fonseka. Using the officials there are concerted attempts by the Govt. to block his signature being taken, which is a requirement for the filing of petition.

UNP Gen. Secretary Tissa Attanayake stated, the signature of his is a mandatory requirement. But, by the Govt. holding him in the military custody and refusing even his Lawyers to meet him under controversial circumstances is a machination to obstruct him from signing the petition.
The election petition has to be filed within 21 days of the announcement of the results. The final day therefore is the 17th of February. All documents have been finalized for the filing of petition, but the authorities have not provided the opportunity to obtain the General’ signature on the application so far. In a Democratic country, allowing this is indispensable and is a responsibility of the authorities.

It is proposed that the election petition is filed on the 15th, Monday.
Meanwhile, arrangements have been made to file another petition for a vote re count in the Supreme Court next week. A further petition is also to be filed against the State media’s conduct flagrantly violating the election laws and the SC directives, in the run up to elections, he observed.