AJITH SIRIWARDANA 
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Sharma urges setting up of an Independent EC
While commending the Northern Provincial Council elections, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma underlined the necessity to set up an independent election commission, which is a widely valued as a Commonwealth good practice.
Issuing the final report on the Commonwealth Observer Mission to Sri Lanka’s Northern Provincial Council Election, held on 21 September 2013, Sharma described the election as an historic election for Sri Lanka, and one which he said the Commonwealth was pleased to have been invited to observe.
Mr Sharma said Commonwealth observers had found the conduct of Election Day itself to be impressive.
“Voters turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise, and electoral officials conducted polling with dedication and diligence,” he said. “The post-results environment was also peaceful and for this, we commend the leadership of participating political parties.”
The Secretary-General, however, drew attention to the Commonwealth Observer Mission’s concerns about the pre-electoral environment. He said: “I support the Observer Mission’s view that an election is a process and not an event. The pre-electoral environment is vital to its integrity and credibility.”
Mr Sharma also noted the Observer Mission’s call for the establishment of an independent electoral commission, which is a widely valued Commonwealth good practice. The Secretary-General said: “We have an ongoing programme of work with Sri Lanka. We stand ready to assist Sri Lanka in strengthening its electoral framework as well.
“I echo the sentiments of the Commonwealth Observer Mission in hoping that this historic election marks a step forward in the harmonious development of the Northern Province and of Sri Lanka as a whole.”
The Commonwealth Observation Mission was in Sri Lanka from 14 – 28 September. Its mandate required its members to observe and consider all aspects of the electoral process and to assess compliance with the standards for democratic elections reflected in national election-related legislation and relevant regional, Commonwealth as well as other international commitments. The Observer Mission met with a range of stakeholders and on election day its members were present in the five districts of the Northern Province.
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