Read the full report here: “Resilience in Democracy: Strengthening Electoral Processes in Post-Crisis Sri Lanka | 2024 Sri Lankan Presidential Election 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 2024, ANFREL observed the Presidential Elections which were 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 a nationwide election, 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 genuine and 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 bias, 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 Presidential Election

The 2024 Presidential Election witnessed a high voter turnout of 79.46%, reflecting strong public engagement in determining Sri Lanka’s leadership amidst an ongoing economic crisis. ANFREL’s International Expert Election Observation Mission (IEEOM), consisting of 12 international observers, including two Electoral Analysts, monitored all key stages of the electoral process. ANFREL commends the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) for managing the electoral process effectively, ensuring overall integrity and public trust. The unprecedented number of 38 candidates fueled intense political activity, particularly on social media, underscoring the growing importance of digital platforms. However, challenges persisted, including inadequate accessibility for persons with disabilities, compromised ballot secrecy, and ambiguities in the role of police officers at polling stations. Misuse of state resources during the campaign period, including government vehicles and rushed public projects, raised significant concerns about fairness. While the ECSL took steps to address these abuses, stronger enforcement mechanisms are needed, including more robust regulations and proactive investigations to ensure transparency and accountability.

The newly introduced Campaign Finance Law, while a step forward, faced implementation challenges due to unclear guidelines, loopholes, and delays in enforcement. To address these concerns, ANFREL highlights the need to refine the law so that it applies from the moment elections are declared, ensuring comprehensive oversight of campaign expenditures. Establishing real-time digital monitoring systems and creating a dedicated Campaign Finance Monitoring Office to audit campaign returns and proactively investigate spending would enhance transparency and confidence in the process.
Media independence remained a significant concern, with state-run media favoring the incumbent and private media displaying partisan biases. The lack of balanced reporting undermined public trust and deprived voters of impartial information. Misinformation on platforms such as Meta, TikTok, and YouTube further exacerbated confusion through false opinion polls, AI-generated content, and fabricated election results. To counteract these trends, ANFREL underscores the need for stricter enforcement of media guidelines, enhanced oversight of media ownership conflicts, and initiatives promoting digital literacy and fact-checking among voters.

The preferential voting system caused widespread confusion among voters, particularly in rural and marginalized communities, due to insufficient education on the process. ANFREL emphasizes that voter education programs should address both procedural aspects and the broader significance of preferential voting, ensuring voters are fully informed. The disenfranchisement of key voter groups, including overseas workers, prisoners, and marginalized populations, highlighted systemic barriers that require immediate legal reforms and logistical solutions. Introducing alternative mechanisms, such as overseas or advance voting, is crucial to ensuring inclusive elections.

The post-election period remained stable, despite concerns surrounding the unprecedented second round of vote counting and a temporary curfew. Nevertheless, the peaceful acceptance of results and the smooth transfer of power reflected Sri Lanka’s democratic maturity.

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

Read the full report here: “Resilience in Democracy: Strengthening Electoral Processes in Post-Crisis Sri Lanka | 2024 Sri Lankan Presidential Election Final Report“