General Election 2024

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Voter turnout at upcoming Provincial Council and Local Government elections is likely to be even lower than at yesterday’s parliamentary election, says Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director of the Institute of Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES).

Turnout at the parliamentary election had hovered around 60 percent across most districts, down from over 75 percent at the 2020 general election, Gajanayake said. “One reason for the lower turnout is that it was held on a Thursday,” Gajanayake said. “Holding elections on a weekday may become the norm as it’s more convenient for many.

“Another factor is voter fatigue, as two elections have been held back to back. “Many voters, particularly opposition supporters, feel the outcomes are already decided,” he added.

Gajanayake noted that all major political parties, apart from the National People’s Power (NPP), had shown signs of campaign fatigue, with most of them limiting themselves to indoor meetings. “This strain on parties and voters will be even more evident during local and provincial elections in early 2025,” he said.

He also criticised leaders who had delayed elections for political reasons. “Political parties can rally once with great enthusiasm, as we saw in the September presidential election, but it’s impossible to sustain that momentum.”

Gajanayake called on the government to ensure private sector employees receive leave on election days.

Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL), agreed that the 14 November election was among the most peaceful since Independence, though issues about accessibility remained.

“Many polling stations, particularly in areas like Nuwara Eliya, are established in locations with poor facilities, like tea factories,” Hettiarachchi said, adding that PAFFREL was planning to study polling station conditions and assess whether better-equipped venues are available. “In some countries, temporary polling centres are set up in easily accessible areas. Sri Lanka could consider this to assist elderly and disabled voters,” he added.