- Title: EU praises Sri Lanka election, criticises curfew
- Date: 23rd September 2024
- Summary: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (SEPTEMBER 23, 2024) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PRESS CONFERENCE VENUE WITH SRI LANKAN AND EUROPEAN UNION (EU) FLAGS AND WORDS ON BACKDROP READING (English) "EUROPEAN UNION ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION" VARIOUS OF ATTENDEES INCLUDING CHIEF ELECTION OBSERVER FOR EU, NACHO SANCHEZ AMOR, GATHERED BEFORE PRESS CONFERENCE VARIOUS OF AMOR SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF ELECTION OBSERVER FOR EU, NACHO SANCHEZ AMOR, SAYING: "I'm very happy to say probably this is, of my long list of missions, the mission in which I had the opportunity to (inaudible) the commitment and the, and the excellent results of the role of the election committee. In many ways, very transparent, very efficient, very professional. Trusted. Not one single of (inaudible), has never cast a minor doubt about the attitude of the election commission. And to enjoy this trust is really an asset, that you have to enjoy it and keep it and take care of it." AMOR LISTENING TO QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF ELECTION OBSERVER FOR EU, NACHO SANCHEZ AMOR, SAYING: "The same day, the same day in which a state institution, as the Election Commission said, this has been the most peaceful electoral campaign and electoral process in our history, the same day, there was a curfew. same day. And this is not matching." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF ELECTION OBSERVER FOR EU, NACHO SANCHEZ AMOR, SAYING: "Some of the contenders, they didn't protest. Because after this fear-mongering campaign, talking about the inevitability of the violence, probably some contenders were afraid that anything that happened is going to be attributed to us." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF ELECTION OBSERVER FOR EU, NACHO SANCHEZ AMOR, SAYING: "You (Sri Lankans) have many things to show to other countries. One of them has been mentioned. It's better to discuss about the economy than discussing about religion. Look what's happening in Bangladesh. It's better to discuss about the welfare and the daily problems of the people. And you have to suspect, when your political elite escape from this framework, it's because they don't have a lot to offer for the daily life of the people, so they escape to the creation of tension to try to use the tension in a way that could be conducive for the growth. But you have many things to export, to many countries in the world. And I (inaudible) the excellence in general of your political electoral approach." PRESS CONFERENCE ENDING
- Embargoed: 7th October 2024 12:03
- Keywords: ELECTION EUROPEAN UNION OBSERVER TEAM REACTION SRI LANKA
- Location: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
- City: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
- Country: Sri Lanka
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA001606623092024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: PART AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING
The Election Observer Mission of the European Union (EU) held a press conference in Colombo on Monday (September 23) following the peaceful conclusion of the presidential election in the island nation.
Chief Observer Nacho Sanchez Amor commended the election commission for its management of the nationwide voting process.
However, he criticised the hours-long curfew imposed on election night, calling it a troubling signal from the authorities regarding their respect for voters.
Amor stated that the EU observer team would return to Colombo soon with a detailed written report and recommendations, while the newly-elected president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, settles into office.
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