205 participants who completed the Certificate Course on Election Observation received their awards on 23 October 2023 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. The course was conducted by the CMEV as an initiative to expand the horizon of election monitoring with innovative Digital technology. It is well accepted that the traditional methods of election monitoring are not able to cover some modern trends in election campaigns which can significantly affect the transparency of electoral democracy. One of the main components of this initiative was to make the monitoring process inclusive by giving more opportunities to youth, women and members of other marginalized communities following a comprehensive knowledge through the course. The course consisted of six modules covering every aspect of the election monitoring process and ran through six months.
In parallel with the certificate course, CMEV introduced a new Digital Incident Reporting and Analyzing System (DIRAS) to be used in future election monitoring activities. All aspects of the CMEV’s monitoring process will be transferred to a digital platform with this new initiative. DIRAS will ensure no-time
coverage of election violence, malpractices and issues affecting electoral transparency. The certificate course on comprehensive election monitoring also included a module to develop digital skills for prospective CMEV observers with the purpose of improving them as emerging leaders to face any challenges related to digital democracy.
The award ceremony was conducted in the presence of Hon. Michael Appleton, High Commissioner of New Zealand, Mr Saman Sri Rathnayake, Commissioner General of the Election Commission, Mr Chris Yonke, Resident Program Director, IRI, Dr Saravanamuttu, Udaya Kalupathirana, Co-convenors of CMEV and many other CSO representatives. This program was funded by the International Republican Institute under the Global Elections and Political Transition program.
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