Verité Research’s Deepanjalie among Commonwealth election observers in Ghana

Friday, 29 November 2024 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Deepanjalie Abeywardana

Deepanjalie Abeywardana, the Deputy Director of Verité Media and Politics, a division at Verité Research, has been selected as a Commonwealth election observer for the upcoming general elections in Ghana.

Abeywardana is part of a 16-person Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) comprising political figures, lawyers, academics, and diplomats from around the world. It is led by the former president of Botswana, Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, announced the composition of the COG on 21 November, after receiving an invitation to do so from the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

Abeywardana has extensive experience in media research, with a particular focus on media behaviour and structures. She has participated in several international fellowships and

programs and has collaborated with a wide range of local and international stakeholders and practitioners to examine the Sri Lankan media landscape, media ownership, and how the media impinges on democracy.

Ghanaians will vote to choose a President and Members of Parliament on 7 December 2024. The COG will arrive in Ghana on 29 November and depart on 13 December.

The mandate of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) is to observe the preparations for the election, the polling, counting and results process, and the overall electoral environment. The observers will assess the conduct of the process as a whole and, where appropriate, make recommendations for the strengthening of the electoral system in Ghana.