EU observers hail Sri Lanka’s democratic milestone

• Publish final report on 2024 Presidential Election, call for bold reforms 
• EU Parliament Member and EOM Chief Observer Nacho Sánchez Amor praises transparency, peaceful voting, resilience of democratic institutions
• Key achievements include campaign finance transparency, increased youth inclusion in voter lists, respect for fundamental reforms
• Recommendations focus on enhancing women’s political participation, addressing misuse of State resources, further fine-tuning campaign finance regulations
• Call for repeal of OSA and PTA to safeguard freedom of expression, need for better accessibility for voters with disabilities

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Sri Lanka yesterday published its detailed analysis of the 2024 Presidential Election, calling it a ‘significant milestone’ in the country’s democratic journey.

In its final report, the Mission highlighted key achievements and offered 16 recommendations to enhance future electoral processes, underscoring Sri Lanka’s international commitments to democratic principles.

Addressing the media, EU Parliament Member and EOM Chief Observer Nacho Sánchez Amor described the election as a testament to the resilience of Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions. 

“The 2024 Presidential Election marked a renewal of political normalcy after a period of unprecedented turmoil. Citizens demonstrated their commitment to the democratic process, while the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) worked independently and with resolve, ensuring transparency at all key electoral stages,” he said.

The EU EOM commended several positive developments, including reforms aimed at increasing transparency in campaign finance and greater inclusion of youth to the voter list. 

It noted that fundamental freedoms were respected throughout the campaign and that voters were presented with genuine political alternatives to choose from. 

It highlighted the role of civil society in supporting credible elections and praised the collaboration between the ECSL and various stakeholders. 

He said that the 2024 Presidential Election day itself (21 September 2024) was peaceful, adding that the prompt acceptance of results by candidates reflected the growing maturity of Sri Lanka’s political landscape.

“The Presidential Election attested to the resilience of Sri Lanka’s democracy. Now, with a new Government in place following Parliamentary Elections, we hope to see further efforts to strengthen transparency, inclusiveness, and the rule of law,” Amor said.

Despite the progress, the EU EOM recommends meaningful advancements for further reforms to address lingering challenges.

The report highlights the need to enhance the participation of women in politics and to strengthen mechanisms preventing the misuse of State resources during election campaigns.

One of the report’s notable recommendations was a call for continued prioritisation of transparency and accountability.

It also urged the Government to repeal restrictive laws such as the Online Safety Act (OSA) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to safeguard freedom of expression.

The final report also identified areas for improvement in the electoral framework, including campaign finance regulations, which the Mission said would benefit from further fine-tuning. It stressed the importance of making the voting process more accessible to people with disabilities to ensure all eligible voters can participate fully in the democratic process.

The Chief Observer said: “Democracy thrives through transparency, inclusiveness, and free  expression.” He assured that the EU stands ready to support Sri Lanka in advancing these values as the country moves forward.

The EU EOM was deployed at the invitation of the ECSL and the Government, operating in the country from 14 August to 10 October 2024. Over the course of its mission, it conducted a countrywide observation with over 70 international observers deployed across all nine provinces, offering an independent assessment of its conduct and outcomes.