September 21, Colombo (LNW): Voting in Sri Lanka’s highly anticipated 2024 Presidential Election commenced this morning (21), with polls open across the nation.
Citizens will be casting their votes at 13,421 polling stations, which will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., marking a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape.
This year’s election has set a historic milestone with a record-breaking 38 candidates vying for the presidency, the highest number of contenders in Sri Lanka’s electoral history.
A total of 17,140,354 registered voters are eligible to participate, with Gampaha District leading with 1,881,129 registered voters, followed by Colombo District with 1,765,351 voters, and Kurunegala District with 1,417,226.
The Northern Province, which includes Jaffna and Kilinochchi, has 899,268 voters, demonstrating a diverse electorate across the island.
Reports have shown large numbers of citizens gathering at key transport hubs, including Colombo Central Bus Station, Fort Railway Station, and the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre, as many travelled to their hometowns yesterday to ensure they could cast their votes.
These scenes reflect the importance attached to this election, where voters hope to influence the future direction of the country.
In a show of international scrutiny and support, several teams of election observers from global bodies, including the European Union (EU) and Commonwealth, have been stationed across all nine provinces.
Their presence is expected to help ensure the election is conducted fairly and transparently.
With a record number of candidates and the largest voter turnout in recent history expected, this election represents a defining moment in Sri Lanka’s democratic journey.
Voters are tasked with electing the nation’s ninth executive president, with their choices carrying weighty implications for the island’s future political and economic trajectory.
