August 26, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has reported a significant rise in complaints related to the forthcoming presidential election.
As of 26 August, nearly 1,000 complaints have been registered, reflecting growing concerns over election conduct.
Between 31 July and 26 August, the Commission received 925 complaints. Of these, 901 pertain to alleged violations of election laws, one involves an act of violence, and 23 are classified as miscellaneous concerns.
The surge in complaints within such a short period has been described by the Commission as highly alarming.
In parallel, election monitoring bodies have expressed growing unease over the misuse of state resources during the campaign period.
The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has logged approximately 250 complaints in connection with election-related irregularities.
Its Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi noted that this figure is expected to increase as the election date approaches, underscoring the need for vigilant oversight.
The mounting complaints signal rising tensions and highlight the challenges of ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process as the country prepares for the critical presidential election, which is scheduled for September 21, 2024.
