The European Union has noted a significant shift in the discourse surrounding Sri Lanka’s upcoming presidential election, with a marked focus on economic issues rather than the traditional divisive rhetoric along communal lines. This observation was made by Chief Observer Nacho Sánchez Amor, a Member of the European Parliament, during a press conference held today in Colombo.
The EU has officially deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for Sri Lanka’s September 21 presidential election, comprising a core team of 10 election experts and 26 long-term observers. The mission commenced its activities on August 14 with the arrival of the core team, and on August 29, the deployment was expanded with the addition of 26 long-term observers who will monitor the electoral process across all nine provinces of the island.
“The European Union deploys less than ten election observation missions per year, and each mission is a testament to the importance we place on our engagement with the country. By sending an election observation mission to Sri Lanka, the EU reaffirms our deep partnership and unwavering support for democratic values,” said Amor.
The EU EOM will assess various aspects of the electoral process, including the work of the election administration, legal framework, campaign conduct, media role, and the influence of social media networks. The mission aims to determine whether the elections comply with national laws and international standards that Sri Lanka has committed to. This marks the seventh EU EOM deployed to Sri Lanka since 2000.
“This election is crucial for strengthening democratic institutions through the ballot box. It is vital that the election is conducted peacefully, transparently, and inclusively, ensuring confidence in both the process and the outcome among voters and candidates,” Amor emphasized.
The long-term observers, deployed in multinational teams of two, will engage with voters, election officials, politicians, and civil society in both urban centers and smaller towns and villages, providing comprehensive coverage of the electoral process.
