September 25, Colombo (LNW):The Commonwealth Observer Group has deemed the 2024 Sri Lankan Presidential Election, held on September 21, as peaceful and well-organized. However, the Group highlighted that many voters and polling staff appeared to have a limited understanding of the country’s preferential voting system.
Sri Lanka’s preferential voting system allows voters to rank candidates by preference, with the option to select up to three preferences on their ballot. In light of the confusion observed, the Commonwealth Observer Group recommended greater efforts to educate the electorate on the voting system throughout the electoral cycle.
Led by former Seychelles President Danny Faure, the Group presented its preliminary findings during a press conference in Colombo. Faure commended the Election Commission of Sri Lanka for implementing key reforms, including campaign finance regulations, tactile frames for visually impaired voters, and sign language services at polling stations.
Praising the election procedures, the Group noted:
“The pre-poll and opening procedures were meticulously followed at the stations observed. Polling stations opened on time, with few queues at the start of the poll. Voting proceeded peacefully and in an orderly atmosphere, with separate queues for men and women in some locations and clear signage inside and outside polling stations.”
The report also acknowledged the professionalism, transparency, and diligence of polling officials, especially in assisting elderly and disabled voters.
Overall, the Group concluded that the election was credible and transparent, applauding the high voter turnout and the peaceful conduct of the electorate. It expressed hope that the post-election phase would remain as peaceful as the voting process.
The Commonwealth Observer Group is expected to release a final report with detailed analysis and recommendations to further improve Sri Lanka’s electoral processes in the future.
