Read the full report here: “Democratic Renewal: Sri Lanka’s Path Forward | 2024 Sri Lankan Parliamentary Elections Final Report”

Executive Summary

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) remains dedicated to supporting the integrity and transparency of electoral processes in Sri Lanka. In November 2024, ANFREL observed the Parliamentary Elections, which was held during a period of significant political, economic, and social challenges. These elections were a crucial test for Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions, offering an opportunity for the country to reaffirm its commitment to free, fair, and inclusive electoral processes. Despite the pressures of economic uncertainty, political polarization, and the logistical complexities of organizing two nationwide elections within a short timeframe, Sri Lanka successfully demonstrated its resilience and determination to uphold democratic values.

The high level of engagement by voters, electoral authorities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders reflects the collective commitment to ensuring credible elections. While the elections were largely peaceful and well-managed, ANFREL’s observations highlighted critical areas for improvement, including challenges in the enforcement of electoral laws, misuse of state resources, gaps in voter education, and accessibility issues for marginalized and vulnerable groups. Media imbalances, disinformation on digital platforms, and barriers to women’s and minority representation also underscored systemic issues that require targeted reforms. ANFREL commends the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) for its steadfast efforts in navigating these challenges and facilitating electoral processes that upheld the integrity of the democratic system.

2024 Parliamentary Elections

The 2024 Parliamentary Elections, held across 22 electoral districts with a 65% voter turnout, marked another significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s democratic journey. Nearly 9,000 candidates contested 225 parliamentary seats, with elections seen as pivotal for addressing economic recovery, political stability, and governance reforms. ANFREL’s International Election Observation Mission (IEOM), comprising 30 observers, covered all key stages of the process and observed an overall well-administered election, though challenges remained.

The Campaign Finance Law, implemented for the second time, led to reduced campaign activity, contributing to lower voter turnout. Concerns regarding enforcement mechanisms, unclear regulations, and limited oversight persisted, underscoring the need for improvements. ANFREL recommends refining the law to include stricter provisions for monitoring media expenditures, defining market values for advertisements, and requiring registered media entities to report campaign-related placements to law enforcement. Establishing a comprehensive monitoring office dedicated to auditing campaign expenditures and investigating violations would strengthen compliance.

State resource misuse, while less prominent compared to the Presidential Election, remained an issue. ANFREL stresses the importance of prosecuting offenders to deter future abuses.
Media bias continued to undermine trust, particularly among private outlets with political affiliations. To address this, ANFREL highlights the importance of disclosing conflicts of interest and ensuring equitable airtime for candidates during the campaign period.

Women’s representation showed notable progress, with 21 women elected to Parliament, including members of the marginalized Tamil plantation community. However, persistent gender biases necessitate further measures to create a more supportive environment for women candidates. ANFREL encourages the ECSL to take a proactive role in shifting cultural perceptions, while Parliament should consider introducing quotas to increase women’s participation in Parliament, provincial councils, and local government bodies.

Voter education efforts faced challenges similar to those observed during the Presidential Election, particularly in rural areas and among marginalized groups. ANFREL recommends the ECSL develop tailored programs addressing the needs of diverse voter groups, including persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and first-time voters. Partnering with the Ministry of Education to integrate civic education into school curricula would foster long-term democratic engagement and awareness.

Accessibility for persons with disabilities remained a challenge, with many polling stations lacking wheelchair access and other necessary infrastructure. Systemic disenfranchisement of key groups, such as overseas citizens, remand prisoners, and essential workers, highlighted the need for alternative voting mechanisms. ANFREL urges the ECSL to set up special polling stations for voters with disabilities and elderly individuals while advocating for legal reforms to facilitate advanced and accessible voting.

ANFREL observed issues regarding ballot secrecy in 28% of polling stations due to poor layouts and ambiguous guidelines for polling staff. Additionally, the presence of armed police officers, sometimes positioned too close to voters, created an intimidating atmosphere. Clarifying their role and revising polling station layouts are necessary steps to address these concerns and maintain public confidence.

The National People’s Power (NPP) coalition secured a dominant two-thirds majority in a less competitive environment, attributed partly to the depletion of resources and momentum following the Presidential Election. Nonetheless, gains in minority and female representation reflect small yet meaningful progress toward greater inclusivity. The post-election period remained peaceful, with widespread acceptance of results, further reinforcing the ECSL’s credibility and the nation’s democratic resilience.

The 2024 Parliamentary Elections showcased Sri Lanka’s democratic strength while highlighting areas for improvement. ANFREL remains committed to supporting electoral reforms and processes that foster greater transparency, inclusiveness, and credibility in future elections.

Read the full report here: “Democratic Renewal: Sri Lanka’s Path Forward | 2024 Sri Lankan Parliamentary Elections Final Report”