EU commends Presidential Poll

Rashomi Silva

COLOMBO: John Cushnahan, the Chief of the European Union Election Observers' Mission (EOM) while commending the 'improved environment' of the last year's Presidential Election, urged Sri Lanka to adopt more radical measures to ensure the democratic rights of the people in the North-East.

Speaking to reporters following the launch of EOM Final Report on Presidential Election in 2005, Cushnahan said it was important to conduct elections in the North-East under the strict supervision and monitoring of an International Body. "Recommendations in the report are simply not sufficient there," he said referring to the North and in particularly in the LTTE-dominated areas.

"Compared to previous elections, the 2005 Presidential Election was conducted in a much improved atmosphere," said Cushnahan who was also a former Member of the European Union Parliament.

He stressed the situation in the North was not that conducive to the democratic process in a country.

He said the LTTE imposed boycott prevented the people from exercising their franchise. "There were hardly any tangible evidence of an elections process. Political campaigns were non existent."

This he said was a repeat of what happened in the previous election and it can not be longer ignored.

Inviting an International Body could be done only with the consent of the Government and the LTTE, the parties to the peace process. However, Cushnahan reminded the parties that it was important to respect Human Rights as per the wishes of the donor community.

He said establishing Independent Commissions including an independent Elections Commission was necessary. They should be fully be implemented without further delay.

Cushnahan urged for transparency in the election campaign expenditures and called for setting up limits.

Among some of the measures recommended were the presence of domestic observers in the polling station and the use of identity document for voting, strengthening of the complaints and appeals procedures.

He praised Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake for his highly professional conduct and balanced conduct during the election. "The overall conduct of the election staff was highly professional and impartial," he said. He expressed disappointment over the implementation of the recommendations, which was yet to take place.

But there are no deadlines, no threats, he insisted. "We condemn and criticise every party that deprives the right of franchise," and quoted the EOM statement on what he called the 'defacto' discriminatory measures against voters in the LTTE dominant areas.

The commitment of the ordinary public to participate in the democratic process and their eagerness to select the Government they want is highly appreciable.

"We owe it to them to enhance the democratic practices here," he added.