The timely communication of results by the Election Commission prior to the second count of preferential votes could have averted a state of confusion amongst the public, as opined by the international election observer ANFREL.

Commending the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) and its polling staff for conducting a peaceful, transparent and credible presidential poll the international polls observer said that they are hoping to analyse this scenario further in their final report to be submitted to the ECSL.

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) together with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) held a press conference in Colombo yesterday to publish its interim report of the Sri Lanka Presidential Elections 2024 as an observer.

Responding to a question raised by the Daily Mirror Senior Programme Officer – International Election Observation Mission Dr. Manjesh Rana said had the communication by the ECSL been timely and effective a scenario of state of confusion wouldn’t have occurred.

The Executive Director ANFREL Brizza Rosales said this was the first time a second count had to be taken owing to the preferential votes in a presidential election, which had led to such a scenario.

“We will have a comprehensive analysis in our final report about this situation also, which we are planning to bring into the notice of the ECSL,” Rosales said.

The independent observer had come up with key electoral issues and recommendations including on misuse /abuse of state resources, implementation of the new Campaign Finance Law, media independence and access, misinformation and disinformation on social media, voter education and awareness and vulnerable sectors.

Chairperson ANFREL cum Executive Director PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi although the post election period has zero violence, an area which the authorities need to address immediately is abuse of state resources.

Heads of local election monitoring bodies including Chief Operating Officer CMEV Prof. Arjuna Parakrama, Legal Head CaFFE Harendra Banagala, Executive Director TISL Nadishani Perera, Executive Director IRES Manjula Gajanayake and Social Media Analyst Hashtag Generation Darshatha Gamage with Senior Programme Manager IDEA Adhy Aman also spoke at the event.