Presidential Election 2024: Most peaceful election in history
The Presidential Election 2024 has been peaceful under the guidance of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) and the participation of different stakeholders including election observation organizations, stated the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL).
The Presidential Election 2024 took place on 21st September 2024. A total of 17,140,354 persons were eligible to cast their vote through 13,421 polling stations.
It is noteworthy that since the first presidential election in 1982, that at the 2024 Presidential Election the highest number of candidates (38) contested.
In general the voters were enthusiastic about their participation in the electoral process, which resulted in approximately 75%-80% voter turnout Island wide.
The ECSL played a vital role from the pre-election period to the polling date to ensure a free and fair election. Sri Lanka Police cooperated with the relevant entities to preserve law and order effectively and impartially throughout the process even in the situation of non-availability of an Inspector General of Police (IGP). PAFFREL appreciates the ECSL and Sri Lanka Police for ensuring a reduction of the violation of election laws, ensuring less violence and protecting the citizen’s right to vote. It is the citizens with their deep commitment to democracy who deserve the ultimate appreciation for today’s peaceful election.
A sizable portion of the polling stations were covered by PAFFREL, with the active participation of more than 4,000 election observers. PAFFREL has received 164 complaints (109 confirmed and 55 unconfirmed) during the Election Day. Among these, 161 complaints were in violation of election laws including illegal election propaganda and attempts to influence the voters.
Several incidents of violation of election laws were reported from Yatiyantota in Kegalle, Devinuwara,Athulugoda in Galle, Gampaha, Nattandiya, Kuliyapitiya, Matara, Weligama, Bentara-Elpitiya,Balangoda, Kolonnawa, Rathgama, Kiribathgoda, Minuwangoda, Kotte, Ranpokunagama in Nittambuwa, and Kongaha Mawatha in Galle.
These incidents ranged from illegal election propaganda on Election Day to transportation of voters. There were five incidents of violence which are counted as intimidation, threats, and assaults reported from Naula in Matale, Meddekanda, Bandarawela,Beragama in Matara, and Maussawa in Patha Hewahata.
Nevertheless, there were no incidents or situations during the Election Day that have had a significant impact on the polling. Unfortunately, incidents and complaints on abuse of state power, resources, and employees from the pre-election period to the polling day were significant in the Presidential Election 2024 compared to Presidential Election in 2019.
This was brought on by the prevailing economic crisis, the ambiguity caused by the fact that the incumbent President was also a candidate, and the attempts of the government members, who sought to influence voters using state power.
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