Press Release
Colombo
September 19, 2024

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) urges the citizens of Sri Lanka to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming Presidential Election on September 21, 2024, and remain vigilant in ensuring a credible election process.

This election is particularly significant due to the highly competitive nature of the race, driven by a diverse field of candidates offering distinct approaches to address the nation’s pressing challenges. The 2024 Presidential Election takes place at a time when Sri Lanka is grappling with economic instability, high inflation, and public dissatisfaction. The race has become even more intense as candidates present differing visions for economic recovery and governance reforms.

During the pre-election period, ANFREL deployed 10 observers across seven of Sri Lanka’s nine provinces, covering 14 cities and their surrounding areas to ensure a balanced observation of both urban and rural electoral practices. Our observers have engaged with a wide range of electoral stakeholders and closely monitored campaign activities. While we have noted some positive developments, there are also areas of concern that need attention.

Initial observations by ANFREL have noted significant concerns about the potential misuse and/or abuse of state resources during the campaign period. These concerns were echoed by several stakeholders, including domestic observers like the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL). Notably, there have been reports of government vehicles being used for campaign-related activities, and public welfare and infrastructure projects being hastily completed or announced in key constituencies, seemingly aimed at swaying voter sentiment. In addition, the timing of announcements, such as taxpayer relief measures, reductions in import duties, salary increases for government employees two days before the postal voting, and the reduction of farmer debt, has been noted as coinciding with the campaign period, raising concerns about their potential impact on the fairness of the election process. Furthermore, the acceleration of development initiatives, including the ‘Urumaya’ Land Ownership Program and the Rice Distribution Program, during this time has also been observed, prompting questions about whether these actions contribute to an uneven playing field for all candidates.

Furthermore, state-run media outlets have been observed giving disproportionate coverage to the incumbent, raising concerns about media bias and the equitable access of all candidates to public resources. Several key stakeholders have raised their concerns, and this issue has also been highlighted in reports published by local media monitoring groups. Such actions undermine the fairness of the electoral process and should be closely monitored to ensure that state resources are not misused to unduly influence the outcome of the election.

Additionally, the implementation of the new campaign finance law is an important development in this election. While this is a positive step towards improving transparency and accountability, ANFREL emphasizes the critical role of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) in ensuring its robust enforcement. We also call on candidates and political parties of their responsibility to uphold financial integrity, as this is essential to truly reflect the spirit and intent of the law. Effective compliance will not only strengthen public trust but also enhance the democratic process.

Another significant issue is the complexity of the voting process, which allows for two modes of valid votes: voters can either put a cross in front of their preferred candidate or choose up to three preferences by numbering their choices (1, 2, and 3). With the election shaping up to be at least a three-way race, preferential voting will be crucial if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote in the first round. However, our observations after interacting with a number of voters, as well as input from key stakeholders, suggest that voter education on preferential voting remains insufficient. Despite the efforts of the ECSL, a considerable number of voters appear unfamiliar with this method, for instance, putting an X as the first choice and 2 on the second may potentially lead to a significant number of invalid votes. With the election just two days away, it is vital that voters fully understand the voting method to ensure their voice is heard.

Moreover, ANFREL observers deployed across the island, along with information gathered from domestic election groups, have noted a significant shift from traditional campaign methods to social media platforms, particularly X, Meta, YouTube, and TikTok. While social media campaigns during the pre-election period have drawn criticism due to issues such as misinformation and disinformation, these platforms remain particularly vulnerable to misuse during the silent period. At this crucial stage, ANFREL calls on election stakeholders, particularly candidates and political parties, to ensure that their official and affiliate pages strictly adhere to the silent period as required by the electoral code of conduct, and the Election Commission to diligently monitor these platform activities. Upholding these regulations is vital to maintaining a fair and transparent process. Additionally, it is important for voters to remain vigilant of social media content during this period, as safeguarding electoral integrity is essential for the legitimacy of the election.

As the mission moves to Election Day and Post-Election Observations, ANFREL looks forward to continuing fruitful engagements with the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, local civil society organisations, various electoral stakeholders, and most especially, the citizens of Sri Lanka.

ANFREL will release and present its interim report in a post-election discussion in Colombo on 24 September 2024. The comprehensive final report will be published by the end of November.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Brizza Rosales, Mission Director, brizza@anfrel.org
Dr. Manjesh Rana, Mission Coordinator, rana@anfrel.org
Mr. Tharindu Abeyrathna, National Coordinator, tharindu@anfrel.org

Download the full statement: “ANFREL Pre-Election Observations and Appeal to Voters Ahead of the 2024 Sri Lankan Presidential Election“