EU election observers to make recommendations for electoral reforms in Sri Lanka

July 21, 2015 (LBO) – Election observation mission of European Union is to make technical recommendations on electoral reforms after observing the upcoming Parliamentary election in Sri Lanka.



The EU election observes who arrived Sri Lanka recently clarified the purpose of their mission at a press briefing held today. “Our purpose is to offer an impartial assessment of the elections according to the Sri Lanka law, as well as to the international and regional standards for democratic elections, and to prepare technical recommendations as a contribution for the debate on electoral reform.







” Cristian Preda, a Romanian member of the European Parliament, is the Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission to Sri Lanka which will comprise over 70 observers from different EU countries, as well as Norway and Switzerland. “It is a great pleasure to be here in Sri Lanka and lead the European Union Election Observation Mission to this country.

I hope that our presence will contribute to the efforts of the Sri Lankan authorities and civil society for a strengthened democratic process”, Preda said.

The observers will be deployed to all nine provinces, where they will be meeting government and electoral officials, candidates and representatives from political parties. They will also meet with civil society, media and conduct a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process based on a long-term observation and a methodology developed by the EU over many years.





This analysis will include aspects such as the legal framework, the work of the election administration, the role of State institutions and civil society, the campaign activities, the conduct of the media, the voting and the counting, the complaints and appeals process and the announcement of the results. “The observers will issue a preliminary statement shortly after the Election Day and a final report will be published later.

” Preda said. Following an invitation from the Commissioner of Elections of Sri Lanka, the European Union has established a mission to observe the forthcoming Parliamentary elections scheduled for 17 August 2015.