Asian election observers have called for an equal playing field during the presidential elections in Sri Lanka.
This call was made by Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) when they launched their International Election Observation Mission to Sri Lanka’s 2019 Presidential poll .
The engagement in Sri Lanka follows 10 previous election observation missions the organization has conducted in the country since 2001. ANFREL’s team of 41 professional election observers, representing 16 countries, began arriving this week.
The mission will be headed by Damaso Magbual of the Philippines, among the most veteraninternational election observers in the world.
The team of 4 core members including 2 electoral analysts, 9 long-term observers, and 28 short-term observers will be covering all electoral districts to engage with election stakeholders, with the aim of promoting democratic norms and good electoral practices.
Prior to their deployment in their assigned areas, ANFREL observers will receive briefing in Colombo.
ANFREL is the only Asian international non-governmental organization accredited by the Election Commission of Sri Lanka for the 2019 Presidential Election.
ANFREL hopes to contribute to further strengthening the foundation of democracy in Sri Lanka by enhancing the accountability and transparency of the electoral process in the country, as well as promote indigenization of international democratic principles.
(LI)