September 21, Colombo (LNW) The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) deployed 32 short-term observers across all electoral districts in Sri Lanka ahead of the presidential election. These observers will monitor the campaign silence period, election day procedures, including the opening of polling stations, voting, ballot counting, and the tabulation of results.
Inta Lase, the Deputy Chief Observer of the EU EOM for Sri Lanka’s 2024 election, emphasized the importance of the observers’ presence in all nine provinces, noting that their insights will contribute to a thorough assessment of election day. The mission’s commitment to transparency is underscored by the deployment of observers in every district counting and tabulation center.
The short-term observers, organized in multinational pairs, were thoroughly briefed on election procedures prior to deployment. Their mission follows an earlier deployment of 26 long-term observers who have been monitoring the election preparations and campaign atmosphere since August 29.
“Our goal is to provide a well-informed evaluation of the electoral process, based on both national and international standards to which Sri Lanka has committed,” Lase stated. She added that the EU EOM operates under the principles of independence, impartiality, and non-interference.
Chief Observer Nacho Sánchez Amor, a Member of the European Parliament from Spain, leads the mission. Two days after the election, on September 23, he will present the preliminary findings at a press conference in Colombo, while a comprehensive final report with recommendations will be issued after the election process concludes.
The EU EOM adheres to a code of conduct ensuring strict neutrality and non-interference, and operates in line with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, endorsed by the UN in 2005.
