Overall polls not democratic

16 February 2010 02:54 am - 34 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Final Report of the Commonwealth Expert Team which observed the 26 January Presidential election in Sri Lanka says that overall the 2010 Presidential elections in Sri Lanka did not fully meet key benchmarks for democratic elections.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, in releasing the report, noted the Team’s conclusion that, "even though on the day of the election voters were free to express their will, shortcomings primarily in the pre-election period meant that overall the 2010 Presidential elections in Sri Lanka did not fully meet key benchmarks for democratic elections.“

The Secretary-General added: "Many of the problems identified reflect the same problems identified during previous elections. These problems – which have also been highlighted by the country’s own Commissioner of Elections – will hopefully receive urgent consideration. The Commonwealth is ready to assist as requested”.

The Secretary-General was encouraged by the report’s finding that, “the administrative arrangements for voting and counting were well conducted and the Commissioner of Elections and his staff across the country expended great effort to put in place procedures to ensure Sri Lankans were able to cast their ballots.”

Referring to post-election developments in the country, including the arrest of the main opposition candidate for the presidential elections, the Secretary-General said: “These developments have increased tension. It is important that the rule of law and due process are applied.”

The Secretary-General also expressed the hope that, “Sri Lanka will move towards political and social reconciliation in the aftermath of the first post-conflict elections and in the lead-up to the forthcoming parliamentary elections”. (Daily Mirror online)

See full report http://www.thecommonwealth.org/files/220094/FileName/FINALREPORT-CET2010PrintVersion.pdf

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 34

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:57 AM

it can produce to court as evidance.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 08:08 AM

WELCOME !

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 08:18 AM

It is not you who will have to pay for this diabilical act of depriving our country of a beleivable change..
It would be your children and their children.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 08:22 AM

Mr Gajaya. yes people express their will as their wish but result has not reflect what peoles did

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 08:24 AM

Please read the whole report and not bits and pieces that suits your whims and fancy!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 08:42 AM

That does not mean the oponents should be punished just because they oposed and will be oposing in theApril elections

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:30 AM

The report only criticises the pre-election manouvering of state madia and resources. But they won't change election result as long as the election utself is free, which the report confirms. People in the country are politically divided and they won't change because of propaganda, just the lot who comment here. So the election is free and they should give a copy to Fonseka and ask him to tell his people to calm down.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:42 AM

Well commented Ari and gajaya. SF likes to be in the limelight by filing petition. Whats next for him and swan?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:49 AM

You know some of us DID vote for Mahinda...

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 08:06 AM

To the people who commented above. You sirs, clearly need some assistance in understanding plain English. "The voters were free to express their will", which they did by rejecting Fonseka.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:26 AM

Next time we should get Chinese or Russians to monitor elections...!!!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:40 AM

the voters were, but what happened after 4.00pm on 26th Jan 2010 till 4pm on 27th Jan 2010 is the problem....

and everyone knows what may have happened also!!!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:08 PM

go to courts!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:09 PM

yes. they seem to be so blind.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:27 PM

No the people did not reject Fonseka the govt. did. The people accepted Fonseka.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:28 PM

The President Elections should be declared null and void .

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 08:37 PM

You do not have to listen to anybody else - just think about two-tongued EC, who says he held a 'fair' election.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 06:19 AM

Please read the full report and comment.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:11 AM

Another opportunity for change in the horizen; why not assist.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:51 AM

So waht is the remedy?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:53 AM

Point taken

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:58 AM

UN, talk is cheap, act. What can you do to correct the wrong?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:58 AM

That is why the "Riot" starts.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 06:09 AM

You need not be a rocket scientist to conclude that the polls were not democratic!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 06:11 AM

suba anagathayak

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 06:15 AM

No point writing/reading reports if no action to remedy the situation is forthcoming.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 05:00 AM

Needless to say, everybody knows it.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 06:33 AM

Without beating about the bush, Why don't you state clearly and unambiguously the KEY BENCHMARKS and help the Election Commision to implement them.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 07:19 AM

The truth is coming out at last. Most knew it but were fearful to say anything. That is the state of our country at the present time.
The truth cannot be told. Its a sad state of affairs.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 07:44 AM

Not only in SriLanka but the entire world knows the truth.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 07:44 AM

One chance only to re-correct, duty of the right civilian.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 07:47 AM

I am even scared to write or talk because of the of the situation that followed the election.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 07:47 AM

It is gratifying to note that the Report bears clear testimony to an excellent job performed by the Commissioner of Elections and his staff. Also, by implication, it points to the overall reliability of the declared result.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 07:47 AM

Everyone knows about it, but we will have to fight back and get the right place for our General . Its a duty of every citizen of SriLanka. Our blood is boiling.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Overall polls not democratic

Comments - 34

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Foreign powers intensify surveillance on Presidential elections as strategic interests take centre stage

New uterine loop for monkey birth control

Sajith avoids reception hosted for Iranian President

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident