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“Outstanding” Polls Chief ensures peaceful process for “Impressive” election: C’wealth observer group
The conduct of Sri Lanka’s presidential election on January 8 was “impressive”, and the overall voter turnout of 81.52% is an example for other Commonwealth countries, says the Commonwealth Observer Group’s final report released on Friday.
It commends election officials for having approached their duties with “diligence and dedication”. The Office of the Commissioner of Elections “played an outstanding role in ensuring a peaceful polling process took place” despite many hurdles in its way during the pre-election period,” it says.
However, the observers are harsh in their judgment of the election campaign, flagging the abuse of State resources as a key concern. The campaign environment was also clearly marked by an unequal contest, they say.
Of particular concern was “the comprehensive bias of State media against Mr. Sirisena’s campaign, the use of military personnel and public officials in support of the incumbent President’s campaign, the expenditure of Government monies on inducements such as religious attire, and the extensive use of State-owned public transport.”
The Group concludes that, “these abuses of State resources did take place with flagrant disregard for the law, were serious in nature, and disallowed for a fundamental requirement of an election contest: a level playing field for those contesting.”
“Accordingly, it appeared that former President Rajapaksa’s campaign had access to a wide range of State resources, including public buildings, senior public officials, public transport and State media,” it says. “The Group notes that its finding with regard to the use of State resources is similar to the observations of the two previous Commonwealth observation exercises in Sri Lanka in 2010 and 2013 respectively.”
The Commonwealth Observer Group reiterates that the integrity displayed and high levels of trust enjoyed by the Commissioner of Elections himself were unique and remarkable. They also note, however, that lack of an independent Elections Commission or appropriate enforcement powers for the Elections Commissioner, as well as the 18th Amendment mean “the current framework does not provide the basis for credible elections, despite the exceptional service of individuals within the Department of Elections.”
The Observers say media coverage was “not always balanced or objective”. Meanwhile, social media was used to a large extent in the election campaign. “The Group heard representations and saw credible monitoring data suggesting that Mr Sirisena’s campaign received little to no coverage in State media in the campaign period, while former President Rajapaksa’s campaign was given extensive coverage,” the report states. “This practice was in clear contravention of the media guidelines issued by the Commissioner of Elections.”
“Furthermore, the Group noted with serious concern that whatever little coverage Mr Sirisena received in the State media tended to malign him personally and discredit his campaign and his supporters, as well as rallying public sentiment against minority groups that were supporting him,” it says.
“The Group noted reports that hundreds of millions of rupees were spent on election campaigning,” it adds. “Sri Lanka does not have legislation on campaign finances.”
Voting on Election Day was “a peaceful process that was well managed and transparent, with voters free to exercise their franchise”. Polling started on time, stations were well-administered and the voters’ register appeared to be credible insofar as it credibly reflected the electors who had registered.
“The Group was impressed with the conduct and professionalism of the election officials,” the report holds. “Polling officials were competent and diligent in carrying out their duties.” However, the prescribed layout for polling stations “did not always guarantee the secrecy of the ballot”.
The Group makes recommendations that include a review of the layout of polling stations to ensure the secrecy of the ballot. Polling procedures should be reviewed, especially with regard to the practice of recording the voter identification number on the ballot counterfoil.
It also calls for legislation and mechanisms to strengthen the rules on campaign finance.