Commonwealth observers took up their positions across all nine provinces in Sri Lanka prior to the country’s presidential election that was held on 21 September 2024. In a formal statement, the Commonwealth Secretariat confirmed that the observer teams had been deployed to key regions, including Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, Northwestern, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, and Western provinces. Their primary task is to oversee pre-election preparations in the days leading up to the election.
The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), chaired by the former President of Seychelles, His Excellency Danny Faure, had been actively monitoring the electoral process. Faure himself was observing the pre-poll arrangements and visiting a number of polling stations across Colombo. On election day, Faure was to return to St. Thomas Preparatory School, where he witnessed the first votes being cast.
Faure stressed the significance of this election for the Sri Lankan people, stating: “This election marks the first time Sri Lankans are voting since the Aragalaya movement in 2022. The Commonwealth’s presence here reflects our unwavering commitment to democratic values and principles. Democracy is the cornerstone of the Commonwealth, and it forms the basis for vibrant, healthy, and prosperous societies. Most importantly, we are here to support the People of Sri Lanka.”
This marks the Commonwealth’s 200th election observation mission and the sixth in Sri Lanka since 2005. The presence of the COG in Sri Lanka underscores the organization’s sustained effort to bolster democratic processes, institutions, and culture across its member nations.
The Commonwealth observer teams are tasked with monitoring various stages of the election process. They were stationed at polling centers from 7 a.m. on election day, observing the entire voting process until the polls closed at 4 p.m. In line with their mandate, the observers were to oversee the counting of votes and the tabulation of results once polling concludes.
Sri Lanka’s election saw over 17 million registered voters head to 13,421 polling centers spread across the country. This presidential election is historic in many respects, notably due to the fact that it features 38 candidates, the largest pool of presidential contenders in the nation’s history. Among the candidates is the incumbent President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who seeks re-election.
Advance voting, commonly referred to as postal voting, was held prior to the election day to accommodate over 700,000 Sri Lankans who were unable to cast their vote in person on the day of the election. The Commonwealth Observer Group’s support team, stationed in Colombo, observed both the opening and closing of the postal voting process. Their presence ensured that advance voting was conducted according to established regulations and procedures.
One of the noteworthy aspects of Sri Lanka’s electoral system is its preferential voting mechanism. Under this system, voters can select up to three candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the total valid votes in the initial count, all but the top two candidates are eliminated. In a second round of counting, the candidate with the most votes is then declared the winner. This system is designed to ensure that the elected president has broad-based support, even in highly competitive elections.
For many Sri Lankans, this election holds special significance. First-time voter Dilushi, one of the millions who participated, expressed her belief that the Commonwealth’s presence will play a critical role in ensuring a transparent and fair election. She noted that the election coincides with International Peace Day, highlighting the need for a peaceful and orderly voting process. The Commonwealth’s commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and peace is evident, and its involvement in Sri Lanka’s electoral process is viewed as a testament to its dedication to fostering democratic governance worldwide.
The Commonwealth Observer Group is expected to issue a preliminary report on its findings shortly after the election. On 23 September 2024, they will release an official statement detailing their observations and providing an assessment of the electoral process.
With the presidential election, Sri Lanka stands at a pivotal moment. The presence of international observers like the Commonwealth team is seen as an essential component of safeguarding the integrity of the election. As voters prepare to exercise their democratic rights, the Commonwealth’s oversight provides a sense of reassurance that the electoral process will be conducted with transparency, fairness, and accountability.
This election is not only a test of Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions but also a reminder of the broader commitment shared by Commonwealth nations to uphold the values of democracy, peace, and good governance.
