Monitors optimistic of peaceful poll

• Commonwealth monitors “heartened” by situation, encourages people to vote
• PAFFREL to deploy 13,000 monitors, 1028 violations, most number from Colombo  

By Uditha Jayasinghe 

Commonwealth election monitors say they are “cautiously optimistic” of a free and fair election as the days wind down to 17 August but have called on all stakeholders to remain vigilant. 

The Commonwealth Observer Group is headed by the former President of Malta Dr. George Abela and has representatives from Australia, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago. 

The group, which had two advance observers, has been discussing extensively with the Elections Commissioner, parties and other monitoring groups regarding the overall election environment.    

“It is heartening to note that there appears to be confidence in the (Election) Commissioner’s office to manage the electoral process and that, on the whole, the campaign environment is generally conducive for a democratic election,” Dr. Abela told reporters.

While concerns remain he was upbeat of the run up to 17 August, noting fellow monitors had observed the last few weeks have been more free and fair than the run up to the presidential polls in January. 



“Sri Lanka is well placed to hold a democratic election that enjoys the confidence of the people. As polling day approaches, we wish the electorate well and would like to encourage all eligible voters to exercise their franchise,” he added. 

People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) giving their pre-vote evaluation insisted the prognosis for a free and fair election was good. The organisation, which will deploy 13,000 monitors, particularly praised the efforts of the Elections Commissioner and the function of the police. 

They also commended the efforts of candidates on both sides that have worked to align themselves to election laws. The local monitors pointed out the shooting incident in Kotahena where two people were killed raised a red flag that should continue to be investigated. 

“Speculation that the incident was the result of a turf war between two gangs does not negate from its political importance. The incident has created tremors among the public who are looking forward to a peaceful election,” PAFFREL Executive Director Rohan Hettiarachchi said. 

They also stressed 53 public officials have had complaints lodged against them and observed it was disappointing public servants were working on political affiliations even after they have been largely given the freedom to remain independent. 

According to PAFFREL data 151 serious election law violations have been reported while 128 abuses of State resources have added up to 1028 violations as of Wednesday. At district level the largest number of violations have been reported from the Colombo District (102), followed by 80 from Kurunegala, 70 from Galle and another 70 from Badulla.

The composition of the Commonwealth Observer Group includes Dr George Abela, Former President, Malta; Paul Dacey, Former Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Australia; Navin Chawla, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India; Professor Lawrence Gumbe, Former Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Centre for Multiparty Democracy, Kenya; Professor Aishah Bidin, Commissioner, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia and Law Professor, Malaysia; Zikirullahi Ibrahim, Chairman, Transition Monitoring Group, Nigeria; Ms Bushra Gohar, Former Member of Parliament of Pakistan, Pakistan; Ms Adelle Roopchand, Communications, Media and Public Relations Specialist, Trinidad and Tobago and Ms Linda Duffield, Former Diplomat, United Kingdom.