The Police Department yesterday said it was not in a position to frame charges against violators of the election law without the Attorney General’s advice and that was the reason cases have not been filed against most violators of the elections law.
“We refer the files to the AG’s Department and are waiting for instructions,” Police media spokesman Preshantha Jayakody said.
Commenting on the pasting of posters in every nook and corner, putting up banners, floats and cut-outs, he said it is up to the Police Department to remove them but financial and human resource constraints have hampered the action to be taken.
Asked about the reported allocation of Rs. 25 million for the task for the Police Department by the Elections Department, Mr. Jayakody said the money had not been received so far. “We act on the instructions of the Elections Commissioner to remove illegal banners and cut-outs. The instructions must come with the necessary funds,” he said.
Mr. Jayakody said only one complaint of election related violence had been received by the Police Election Desk by yesterday.