Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) yesterday (14) commenced its election monitoring programme, which will deploy election observers across the country to monitor the use of public resources for campaign purposes and campaign finance during the upcoming Local Government Election scheduled to take place on March 09.

As it has done since 2005, TISL has deployed 25 District Electoral Observers who will work with 160 additional observers working at the electorate level, for the purpose, the group said in a statement issued yesterday.

TISL announced its hotlines 076 322 344 2 and 076 322 366 2 and urged the public to report instances of the use of public resources for campaign purposes via direct calls or WhatsApp, if they see state owned buildings, vehicles, public officials, or government projects etc., being used for election campaigning purposes.

TISL’s website www.apesalli.lk is also open to public complaints in Sinhala, Tamil, or English, attaching the relevant evidence. Complaints can also be made through the Apesalli mobile application available for downloading at the Play Store and App store. When such a complaint is received, TISL compiles all evidence, verifies the information, and submits it to the Election Commission of Sri Lanka for further action.

Nadishani Perera, Executive Director of TISL stated: “The use of public resources for campaign purposes would constitute an abuse of public resources, amounting to corruption and should be dealt with seriously. We also urge all political parties, candidates, and independent groups to fulfill their legal obligations on reporting and be transparent regarding political campaign financing at the upcoming local government election.”

The purpose of a campaign financing law is to prevent undue influence on parties and candidates by wealthy donors, and to reduce excessive and illegal spending on elections, including by means such as the misuse of public funds and vote-buying. This election will be the first to be held after the enactment of the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act earlier this year. As an organisation committed to the eradication of corruption and the preservation of electoral integrity in Sri Lanka, TISL will observe the effectiveness of this new law.

TISL appeals to all citizens to actively make any credible complaints regarding the use of public resources for campaign purposes to TISL, to ensure that the integrity of the upcoming election is maintained.