By: Isuru Parakrama
November 12, Colombo (LNW): Campaigning for the 2024 parliamentary election officially ended at midnight on November 11, ushering in a mandated “silence period” that will last until polling day on November 14.
This silence period marks a critical moment as candidates and parties await the public’s verdict, with monitoring teams and regulations poised to maintain a fair and impartial election environment for all voters.
During this period, all forms of active electioneering are prohibited, according to the Election Commission, to ensure voters can make their decisions without external influence.
However, candidates have until midnight tonight (12), to dismantle any temporary campaign offices.
Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake clarified that campaign offices currently set up across constituencies must be removed by this deadline.
Following this, each party or candidate group will be permitted only one office per constituency, a measure intended to curb last-minute campaign activities while maintaining essential logistical operations.
In addition, candidates may use their residences as their designated constituency offices, though the Election Commission has set strict guidelines forbidding any decorations or advertisements.
These rules aim to keep campaign visibility minimal and maintain a fair, unbiased environment leading up to the election.
Meanwhile, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) will deploy approximately 6,000 monitors to observe the election, ensuring transparency and adherence to electoral standards. PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi emphasised that these representatives will play a key role in upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
