Speaking during a visit to the North-East, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya, highlighted that there had been no complaints of the army interfering in election work ahead of the provincial council elections in the North-East.
Mahinda Deshapriya also outlined the need for solid evidence of intimidation when making claims stating,
“In general by saying the army is intimidating voters in a particular area cannot be taken as a complaint. There needs to be specific incidents reported. But we have not got specific or detailed complaints."
Purporting that the army was beneficial for the election process, Deshapriya also noted that the army would be allowed to get involved in election related work to on behalf of the police and in assistance of the police chief.
The Elections Commissioner’s claim of no army interference, surfaces comes as TNA members and supporters face increasing intimidation.
TNA supporters assaulted (18 August 2013)
TNA campaigners arrested (17 August 2013)