There is a higher trend towards election violations at the forthcoming Southern Provincial Council Election, warns Network for Election Monitoring of Intellectuals for Human Rights.

"Most of the candidates, especially from the ruling party, are the least bothered about election laws and at the same time State property too were being misused by them," NEM-IHP Chief Executive Dr. Uditha Gunasekara told a press conference at the National Library and Documentation Services Board in Colombo yesterday.

He said since the nomination for the election to be held on October 10, 22 incidents were monitored.

Gunasekara said that the 22 incidents include, five injuries due to assault, six incidents of attacks on party offices, four incidents on obstructing election campaigns, three incidents of Police favouring the ruling party candidates and four unlawful acts.

"We have already discussed the matter with the Elections Commissioner and requested him take strict action against those who abuse election laws," he added.

He said that they had selected qualified independent individuals for monitoring elections. 40 observers were based at the Galle District, 32 in the Matara District and 24 in the Hambantota District.

NEM-IHP Human Rights Secretary Dr. Anura Karunathilake said that their observations show that candidates who get the most number of votes were most responsible in breaking election laws.