The Global Tamil Forum (GTF), the umbrella organisation of Tamil diaspora group has urged the Tamil citizens of North-East and throughout Sri Lanka to freely exercise their franchise at the November 16 Presidential Election only after carefully examining the political formations and agendas of the presidential candidates, reports Daily News on November 13. Issuing a statement, GTF has stated that despite disappointment over the refusal of the presidential candidates to engage with Tamil political leaders on their collective positions, “it is important that Tamil people take active part in this election, instead of giving into flawed thinking such as ‘sending a message to the international community’ through ineffective voting strategies”.