EU Election observation mission vows independent review

Pic by Huzefa Aliasger 

• Says will come up with a report on electoral reforms

By Yohan Perera and Huzefa Aliasger

The European Union Election Observation Mission to Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election yesterday assured a complete independent picture of the Presidential Election 2024 and said it will come up with recommendations for future electoral reforms. 

Chief Observer, Nacho Sánchez Amor, a Member of the European Parliament, told journalists that the observers will act in an independent and transparent manner and will have a broad look at the Presidential Election. “We will not receive orders from any embassies or from anyone else but will act in a truly independent and transparent manner,” he said.
“Our team will observe and analyse various aspects of the electoral process such as the work of election administration, the legal framework, and conduct of the campaign, the work of media and the role of social media networks in the electoral process. We shall also look at the overall space for political and civic participation. The observers will assess how the election is conducted in compliance with the national law as well as regional and international standards which Sri Lanka has signed up to,” he said.

Mr. Amor said the observers were happy to notice the local media discussing aspects such as campaign finance. “We are happy that the election is peaceful so far,” he also said.

The European Union observers will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Colombo. A comprehensive final report, which will also include recommendations for future electoral reforms, will be published and presented to authorities some two months after the completion of the election.

The election observers from EU comprise some 26 long-term observers who have been deployed on August 29, 2024, while 32 short-term observers will join during the election day.

• Our team will observe and analyse various aspects of the electoral process such as the work of election administration