Commonwealth observers arrive in SL for landmark Presidential Election oversight
September 17, Colombo (LNW): A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has arrived in Colombo to oversee Sri Lanka’s upcoming Presidential election, marking a significant milestone as the Commonwealth’s 200th election observation since the 1980s.
With the country set to vote on 21 September, the 15-member team, deployed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, aims to ensure a transparent and democratic electoral process, following an invitation from Sri Lanka’s Election Commission.
In a statement made in Colombo, the Chairperson of the group, former President of Seychelles, Danny Faure, expressed his honour at leading the delegation for this historic occasion.
He emphasised the Commonwealth’s ongoing commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and fostering citizen participation.
“We are here as part of the Commonwealth’s full electoral cycle approach…to help strengthen democratic institutions and processes, and enable citizen participation and representation during elections,” Faure said.
The timing of Sri Lanka’s election is particularly symbolic, coinciding with the International Day of Peace. Faure highlighted this alignment, noting it as a commitment to the global pursuit of peace, mirroring the Commonwealth’s values of promoting free, democratic societies and enhancing the prosperity of all citizens.
The Observer Group’s mandate involves a comprehensive evaluation of the entire electoral process, covering the pre-election environment, the election day itself, and the post-election period.
The group’s role extends beyond merely observing; it involves engaging with various stakeholders to gain a holistic view of the election’s conduct.
Since their arrival, the team has actively participated in meetings with civil society representatives, political parties, the police, and citizen observers, aiming to gather insights into the electoral landscape.
In preparation for the main polling day, members of the support team monitored the postal voting process on 11 and 12 September in Colombo.
This early voting mechanism allows eligible voters who are unable to cast their ballots on 21 September to participate in the election.
This phase of observation provided the team with an early indication of the organisational and procedural aspects of the election.
On 19 September, observers will be deployed in small teams across various provinces, where they will assess local electoral preparations and meet with regional stakeholders.
This decentralised approach ensures a broader and more nuanced understanding of the election’s conduct at the grassroots level.
During the election, the group will observe critical aspects, including the opening of polling stations, voting procedures, the closing of polls, vote counting, and the management of results.
Their observations will culminate in an interim statement on 23 September, offering a preliminary assessment of the electoral process.
Following the election, the group will produce a comprehensive final report, which will include recommendations for enhancing future electoral processes. This report is intended to provide a framework for continuous improvement, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s democratic processes are robust and aligned with international standards.
