PAFFREL urges parties to appoint observers as 2026 voter census begins in Feb

The voter census activities for the year 2026 are scheduled to commence on 1st February 2026, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) announced.

Issuing a statement, PAFFREL stated that, as in previous years, census officers will not visit every household. They will only visit households relevant to updating the “A” and “Aa” lists, which include newly added and removed names. Only households from which voter information is to be collected will be visited.

According to PAFFREL, political party representatives will have the opportunity to observe how the census is conducted, and after officers collect the information, they may also observe the officers’ recommendations on whether a person is suitable or not to be registered as a voter.

Noting that if irregularities are observed, PAFFREL said representatives may notify the census officer in writing, with a copy of such notification promptly forwarded to the relevant District Deputy or Assistant Commissioner.

The organization listed possible irregularities, including:

• Names of citizens with ordinary residence not being added as voters.
• Eligible persons not being added or not recommended as suitable.
• Persons under 18 years of age already registered or recommended for 2026 (not applicable to supplementary lists).
• Persons without ordinary residence applying under certain addresses and being recommended as suitable.
• Individuals applying to be registered under more than one address.
• False information being presented for voter registration or ineligible persons being put forward.

Highlighting its long-standing experience, PAFFREL said that while political parties are allowed to appoint representatives at Grama Niladhari division level to observe the census process, only a few parties actually do so, while the majority fail to appoint representatives.

“We emphasize that raising complaints close to an election about supporters’ names not being included in the voter list is of no use. If political party representatives actively engage in this process, it will ensure that all eligible persons are included in the voter register and that ineligible persons are excluded,” PAFFREL added. (Newswire)

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