Sri Lanka: Exploring Collaboration to Protect Elections

The project, funded by the government of Canada, focuses on developing a comprehensive and gender-sensitive framework that incorporates risk management, resilience building, and crisis management practices within electoral management. To date, several project activities have been implemented in Mauritius, one workshop in Finland and a consultation already conducted in Panama. The mission to Sri Lanka aimed to explore the possibility of formalizing a partnership with the final partner country within this global initiative.

During the mission, International IDEA's team, including the project manager, Sead Alihodzic, and experts from the Asia and Pacific Regional Office, Adhy Aman and Antonio Spinelli, met with the leadership of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka to discuss potential avenues for collaboration under the auspices of the Protecting Elections project. The project's objectives and activities were presented, receiving positive feedback. The potential for a formal partnership between International IDEA and the Electoral Commission is now under consideration, with activities expected to commence after the forthcoming elections later this year.

In addition to meetings with the Electoral Commission, the International IDEA team engaged with various national civil society organizations (CSOs) and international electoral assistance organizations and international development cooperation agencies. These interactions were aimed at finding synergies and discussing collaborative efforts to enhance the International IDEA’s support to democratic processes in Sri Lanka, including the project’s impact. The involvement of diverse stakeholders is crucial in building a resilient electoral system that can withstand various threats.

Following the visit, a dialogue has been initiated to formalize Sri Lanka's participation in the project, representing the Asia-Pacific region. By being part of the project’s testing and piloting phase, Sri Lanka would have the opportunity to contribute its best practices and insights to the project resources, benefiting the wider community of practice. At the same time, the project's resources and activities aim to bolster the knowledge and capacity of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, contributing to more free, fair, and credible elections in the country.

International IDEA remains committed to promoting and protecting democracy and strengthening institutions. Protecting elections is a vital effort in reinforcing confidence in democratic institutions and systems. Through the "Protecting Elections" project and other initiatives, International IDEA aims to support and safeguard democracy in Sri Lanka and beyond.