Sri Lanka: Election-related violence documented with women’s group

Together with Women’s Political Academy Sri Lanka (WPASL) , an initiative in improving capacity of women politicians/ aspirants in the country, IMADR Asia Committee  has closely observed and documented election-related violence in the run up to the parliamentary election on Aug 17, 2015.

Download the reports:

• Summary Report of Pre-Election Violence Monitoring (IMADR-AC, Women’s Political Academy Sri Lanka (WPASL), 2015) 
• Summary of Incidents in the Parliamentary General Election 2015 (IMADR-AC, Women’s Political Academy Sri Lanka (WPASL), 2015) 

Electoral violence involves use of power with an intent to harm, damage persons or property in the electoral process. Forms of violence is designed to coerce participation or change vote choices, eliminate candidates, disrupt the process or negate votes in certain locations, seek retribution for political support or votes cast. Victims of electoral violence include candidates, journalists, election officials, observers, activists and others. In the reports, various forms of election violence such as assaults, damage properties, arson, threats, abductions, bribery, murder, shooting, breach of election laws, and misuse of state resources are documented. These violence are recorded from 29th June to 14th August 2015.