(UTV|COLOMBO) – A group deployed by the Commonwealth to observe the Presidential Election in Sri Lanka called on stakeholders to demonstrate commitment to a “peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive” poll.
The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) whose members are drawn from various Commonwealth regions with backgrounds ranging from political, electoral, civil society and human rights as well as legal fields, was invited by the Sri Lankan Elections Commission to observe the November 16 polls. The COG will receive briefings from relevant stakeholders including election management officials, representatives of political parties, civil society groups, the police, members of the international community and citizens and international observers, a statement issued by the Commonwealth Secretariat said .
In a statement, COG Chair Prosper Bani said: “As independent observers, we will remain objective and impartial in discharging our duties. The Group’s assessment will be its own and not that of any Commonwealth member country.
“We hope that our group’s presence will support the strengthening of democracy in Sri Lanka.”
The former Ghanaian interior minister added that the group’s mandate is to observe and evaluate the pre-election environment, polling day, as well as the post-election period.
He said: “The responsibility to act with integrity rests with all stakeholders, from the Elections Commission, political parties, media, security agencies, civil society and voters.”
On Thursday, observers will be deployed to various provinces across the country to observe preparations ahead of polling day.
Subsequently, they will observe the opening of polls, voting, counting and the management of results from election day until their departure from Sri Lanka on November 22. The COG will issue an Interim Statement of its preliminary findings shortly after November 16. The final report will be submitted to the Secretary-General and made available to the public afterwards.
[alert color=”faebcc” icon=”fa-commenting”]Keeping up to date with breaking news while you are on the move is now simple with UTV Alerts [textmarker color=”8a6d3b”]Type REG UTV and send to 77000[/textmarker] on your Dialog, Airtel, or Hutch mobile connection[/alert]
