• EU EOM monitoring all stages of election
• Commonwealth observers to engage from 15-27 Sept.

International election monitoring groups are on high alert as Sri Lanka prepares for its Presidential Election on 21 September. 

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has begun its monitoring and the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) will follow suit.

The EU EOM will oversee all stages of the election process to ensure compliance with national and international standards. 

The COG will also assess the election’s adherence to legal and international norms. 

The EU has been invited by Sri Lanka’s Election Commission (EC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to observe the Presidential Election.

EOM Press Officer Marek Mracka told The Sunday Morning that the EU EOM would employ a rigorous methodology to monitor the entire electoral process, including pre-election activities, election day proceedings, and post-election developments.

“The EU EOM will observe various aspects of the electoral process and will assess the extent to which elections are conducted in compliance with national law, as well as with the regional and international standards Sri Lanka has signed to,” Mracka stated. 

He added that the EU EOM’s presence emphasised its support for Sri Lankans in their “efforts to further strengthen democratic processes and institutions” and its aim to “assist Sri Lanka in its objective to hold elections of a high standard”.

Mracka further highlighted the EU EOM’s focus areas, which included assessing the legal framework, the performance of election administration, campaign activities, and the media environment. 

Additionally, the EU EOM prioritises a thorough evaluation of human rights during and after the election. 

This approach involves deploying long-term observers throughout the country to directly witness and document election activities and respect for human rights; engaging with various stakeholders, including civil society organisations and human rights groups, to gather firsthand accounts; compiling detailed reports; and staying in the country post-election to monitor any disputes or issues that may arise. 

These strategies aim to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process, reinforcing its transparency and credibility.

While the EU takes a neutral stance, with the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives noting that the EU preferred not to comment on “the political and electoral process in the current context,” Mracka pointed out that the EU EOM’s presence aimed to enhance voter and candidate confidence in the electoral process.

Mracka also revealed: “The mission will present its initial findings at a press conference 48 hours after the poll, alongside a preliminary statement. A more comprehensive assessment will be provided in its final report approximately two months after the election. This report will include recommendations for future electoral processes and focus on civil and political rights, based on Sri Lanka’s law and international commitments.”

Through these strategies, “the EU EOM seeks to gain sufficient insight into and report comprehensively on the respect for fundamental freedoms in the electoral process, thus contributing in part to the protection of the integrity of the electoral process,” Mracka added.

Meanwhile, the COG, led by former President of Seychelles Danny Faure, will also monitor the election. Arriving in Sri Lanka today (15) and remaining until 27 September, the 14-member team will be supported by a seven-member staff from the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Complying with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, the independent observer group intends to “determine whether the election complies with Sri Lanka’s electoral laws and meets relevant regional, Commonwealth, and international standards,” as stated in a press release by the Commonwealth.

The group’s mandate, as stated by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, would evaluate all factors impacting the election’s credibility, including pre-election conditions, voting procedures, and post-election environments. Their findings will be published in an interim report and a final report with recommendations for future elections.