(Counting the votes, Sri Lanka)
European Union (EU) election observers today called for a violence free election as they formally began work ahead of the August 17 Parliament election.
Chief Observer Cristian Preda, speaking to reporters in Colombo today, said that the EU observers will not give special focus on any part of the country during its mission.
“We are here for many weeks and I am sure the experience of our experts will be very useful for the analysis of the entire process. I also hope that the climate will be a good one without violence and with a very civilized atmosphere,” Preda said.
“We will try to cover all the territory before the polls and tomorrow I will leave for Jaffna. I will be also travelling to other parts of the country including the eastern part, the southern part and the central part. That is my work as an election observer.” he added.
Following an invitation from the Sri Lanka authorities, the European Union has started the deployment of an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Sri Lanka to observe the Parliamentary Elections scheduled for 17 August 2015.
The EU Election Observation Mission will consist of a Core Team of eight election analysts, and 18 Long-Term Observers,who will be deployed to all Sri Lankan Provinces, plus 28 Short Term Observers deployed shortly before Election Day.
The EOM will closely follow the electoral process and make its assessment on the basis of Sri Lankan legislation, as well as regional and international commitments. (Colombo Gazette)