In the statement, Rannayake emphasized that all government officials responsible for managing state property, including ministry secretaries and department heads, must strictly adhere to the guidelines outlined by the Election Commission. This move comes as part of a broader effort to ensure fairness and transparency during the election period.
The Election Commission's power is derived from Article 104(b) 4(a) of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, which grants the Commission and the Election Commissioner General the authority to prohibit the use of any government or state corporation property for the purposes of promoting or preventing the election of any political party or independent group.
Under this provision, all officers in charge of or overseeing state property are required to comply with any directives issued by the Election Commission, ensuring that such resources are not misused for political advantage during the election campaign.
This action reflects the Commission's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring a level playing field for all political parties and independent groups involved in the local elections.
