Monthly report - May-Full 2004 NPDS For IDPs ... - IDP SriLanka

BATTICALOA JAFFNA MANNAR PUTTLAM TRINCOMALEE VAVUNIYA
Main issues in Voters Rights
Resettlement and Voters Registration:
After the MOU most of the IDPs were returned to their own
places. Specially people who were in the Kalmadu Welfare
center (Vadamunai, Uthuchenai and Poonanai). Anyhow
certain people did not go to their own places due to several
reasons. During displacement period GN did not consider IDPs
where they are living, they registered IDPs in their own village
registration register. But now most of people moved to their
own places and most of the administrative activities also based
on their resettlement villages. So GNs offices also in the
particular resettlement villages. In this situation, according to
the election rules, people who are in six month or more than
six-month in it place only eligible to registration. People, who
are not resettled, automatically remove from their original
village voter register. And also most of GNs are willing to
remove their name. Because if they register the voters against
registration rule that will affect their jobs. Immediate and
proper circular and instruction will be essential from election
department before the voters’ registration. Even though
resettlement is taking place government authorities cannot
force the IDPs to resettle. If they do according to rule indirectly
this also cause forcible resettlement. Therefore people could
not resettle should be consider as a IDPs. Their name should
be including own village voters list.
Monthly report - May-Full 2004
NPDS For IDPs Project
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
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