SRI LANKA’S NORTHERN PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS …

REPORT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OBSERVER MISSION

SRI LANKA'S NORTHERN PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

21 SEPTEMBER 2013

COMMONWEALTH OBSERVER MISSION

SRI LANKA'S NORTHERN PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS 21 SEPTEMBER 2013

Table of Contents

Letter of Transmittal............................................................................................................iii

Chapter One ...................................................................................1 Introduction.................................................................................. 1 Terms of Reference ...................................................................... 1 Activities................................................................................... 1

Chapter Two ...................................................................................3 Political Background ........................................................................ 3 Context .................................................................................... 3 Reconciliation............................................................................. 4 Provincial Councils ....................................................................... 4 The Northern Province................................................................... 5

Chapter Three .................................................................................7 The Electoral Framework and Election Administration ................................ 7 Legal Framework ......................................................................... 7 The Provincial Council Electoral System .............................................. 7 Constitutional Features.................................................................. 8 Electoral Administration ................................................................ 8 Voter Eligibility and Registration ...................................................... 9 Candidate Eligibility and Nomination.................................................. 9 Recommendations ........................................................................ 9

Chapter Four................................................................................. 11 Election Campaign and Media Environment ........................................... 11 The Election Campaign ................................................................ 11 Recommendations ...................................................................... 16

Chapter Five ................................................................................. 17 Voting, Counting and Results ............................................................ 17 Administrative Districts and Polling Arrangements ................................ 17 Voter Identification .................................................................... 18 Poll Card ................................................................................. 18 Voting .................................................................................... 18 Counting of Votes ...................................................................... 20 Declaration of Results ................................................................. 20 Post-results Environment.............................................................. 21 District Specific Observations ........................................................ 21 Recommendations ...................................................................... 25

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Chapter Six ................................................................................... 26 Conclusions and Recommendations .................................................... 26 Conclusions .............................................................................. 26 Recommendations ...................................................................... 27

ANNEX I: Biographies of Commonwealth Observer Mission ........................ 29 ANNEX II: Sri Lanka's Northern Provincial Council Elections 2013: Arrival Statement .................................................................................... 31 ANNEX III: Deployment Plan............................................................... 33 ANNEX IV: Statement of Preliminary Findings......................................... 34

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COMMONWEALTH OBSERVER MISSION

SRI LANKA'S NORTHERN PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS 21 SEPTEMBER 2013 27 September 2013

Dear Secretary-General

Following your invitation to observe the 21 September 2013 Northern Provincial Council Elections in Sri Lanka, we have now completed our Final Report and are pleased to submit it to you with this letter.

These were landmark elections in Sri Lanka's Northern Province. In approaching our task, we were conscious that these were the first Northern Provincial Council Elections held since the end of the civil conflict in May 2009, and since the Provincial Council system was established.

We were impressed by the administrative arrangements for voting and counting made by the Commissioner of Elections and his staff across the Northern Province, who approached their duties with diligence and dedication. Election Day itself was largely peaceful, with only isolated incidents reported.

We have concluded, however, that while voters on Election Day were able to express their will, serious and fundamental shortcomings in the equally important pre-election period meant that in our overall assessment, the 21 September 2013 Northern Provincial Council Elections did not fully meet key benchmarks for democratic elections.

We were impressed by the determination and resilience of voters to exercise their franchise in the context of a compromised electoral environment. It is our sincere hope that this election will mark a forward step in the post-conflict development of the Northern Province.

We are pleased to highlight that we received full cooperation from the Sri Lankan Government and the Commissioner of Elections.

Pursuant to our mandate, we have offered a number of constructive recommendations to help improve the electoral process and environment. We hope they will be received in the positive spirit in which they are intended. Our team now departs Sri Lanka. We would very much like to thank you for the opportunity of being of service to the Commonwealth. I would also like to thank the Secretariat for all the support to the Observer Mission.

Yours sincerely,

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