News Today: Misuse of state resources before LG Polls highlights alarming trends

The misuse of state resources before 2025 LG Polls has become a growing concern, with the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) bringing alarming statistics to light. Speaking to the media, PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi disclosed that 30 incidents involving the abuse of state power and resources have been reported in connection with the upcoming Local Government Elections scheduled for 2025. Out of these, 14 have already been confirmed after investigation.

In a report released by the organization, it was also revealed that a staggering 322 violations of election laws have been logged so far. These range from the use of government facilities for campaigning to the deployment of public servants for political work during official hours.

In addition to the misuse of resources, 18 cases of election-related violence have surfaced, with 17 of them being verified. The situation appears to be heating up rapidly as 38 incidents involving the offering of donations and bribes to voters have also been documented.

Despite the seriousness of these violations, Hettiarachchi remarked that such issues are “not considered serious” in an election of this magnitude, where approximately 70,000 candidates are in the race for local government positions. That said, the toll is growing: a number of candidates have already been arrested, and one candidate was murdered. Authorities are still investigating whether this murder is directly linked to the election or not.

This troubling revelation calls for immediate attention from the Election Commission and other relevant watchdog bodies to ensure a fair and democratic process. Voters and civil society groups are increasingly vocal, demanding accountability and transparency in the lead-up to the polls.