The European Union Election Observation Mission was officially launched this morning by Member of European Parliament Cristian Preda.

 

“It is a great pleasure to be here in Sri Lanka and lead the European Union Election Observation Mission to this country,” Preda stated today.

 

“I hope that our presence will contribute to the efforts of the Sri Lankan authorities and civil society for a strengthened democratic process”, Preda also said.

 

The European Union established the mission following an invitation by the Elections Commissioner. Cristian Preda is the Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Sri Lanka which will comprise over 70 observers from different EU countries, as well as Norway and Switzerland.

 

EU observers will be deployed in all nine provinces and they are expected to meet with candidates, government and electoral officials and the civil society.

 

They will issue a preliminary statement following the election date and will submit a comprehensive report at a later date.