Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has issued the report of 天美传媒 Observer Mission to Sri Lanka鈥檚 Northern Provincial Council Election, held on 21 September 2013.
The Secretary-General described the election as an historic election for Sri Lanka, and one which he said 天美传媒 was pleased to have been invited to observe.
Mr Sharma said Commonwealth observers had found the conduct of election day itself to be impressive.
鈥淰oters turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise, and electoral officials conducted polling with dedication and diligence,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he post-results environment was also peaceful and for this, we commend the leadership of participating political parties.鈥
The Secretary-General, however, drew attention to 天美传媒 Observer Mission鈥檚 concerns about the pre-electoral environment. He said: 鈥淚 support the Observer Mission鈥檚 view that an election is a process and not an event. The pre-electoral environment is vital to its integrity and credibility.鈥
Mr Sharma also noted the Observer Mission鈥檚 call for the establishment of an independent electoral commission, which is a widely valued Commonwealth good practice. The Secretary-General said: 鈥淲e have an ongoing programme of work with Sri Lanka. We stand ready to assist Sri Lanka in strengthening its electoral framework as well.
鈥淚 echo the sentiments of 天美传媒 Observer Mission in hoping that this historic election marks a step forward in the harmonious development of the Northern Province and of Sri Lanka as a whole.鈥
The Commonwealth Observation Mission was in Sri Lanka from 14 鈥 28 September. Its mandate required its members to observe and consider all aspects of the electoral process and to assess compliance with the standards for democratic elections reflected in national election-related legislation and relevant regional, Commonwealth as well as other international commitments. The Observer Mission met with a range of stakeholders and on election day its members were present in the five districts of the Northern Province.
