A technical report prepared by the Election Commission on enhancing the representation of women and youth in Provincial Council elections was presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee tasked with reviewing the electoral system. 

The committee, chaired by Minister Vijitha Herath, convened recently at Parliament with the participation of Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, and other caucus members.

The report outlined a framework to increase women’s and youth representation while retaining the existing Proportional Representation system and preserving the current method of determining election results.

Extensive discussions were held on the legal and practical challenges of ensuring representation under the proposed system. The committee agreed to examine these issues further in upcoming sessions.

During deliberations, the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus unanimously emphasized that women’s representation at Provincial Council and Local Government elections must be raised to at least 33%. 

Members stressed that this demand should be a central consideration in shaping the new electoral framework.

The move reflects growing momentum to embed gender and youth inclusivity in Sri Lanka’s political structures, with the Election Commission’s technical input providing a basis for reform. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has issued a special announcement regarding the registration of the electoral register for the year 2026.

According to the Commission, citizens have the opportunity to check whether their details are included in the register and verify the accuracy of the information recorded.

The Commission particularly urged attention from individuals who have not yet been registered, those requiring corrections to their address, name, or national identity card number, and all persons born before February 1, 2009.

To make the necessary amendments, citizens are advised to meet their area Grama Niladhari officer and carry out the required inquiries.

In addition, the Commission announced that voter registration details can be checked and updated online through the official portal ec.lk/vrd. 

The deadline for completing the registration process has been set for June 1, 2026. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has announced that five political parties were recognised as registered political parties in the year 2025.

Issuing a statement, the Election Commission said the political parties were registered according to Section 7(4)(a) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981.

The newly registered political parties are the Socialist Alliance, People’s Participatory Democratic Front, Malaiyaga Political Arena, Samaththuva Kadchi, and Revolutionary Peoples Power. (Newswire)

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The official term of local councils, for which members were elected in the recently held 2025 Local Government Elections, will commence on 02 June 2025. 

Political parties and independent groups that secured majorities in local authorities have been requested to submit the names of individuals nominated for the positions of Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairman and Vice Chairman of those councils.

Elections Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake has announced that the names of those nominated for the key positions of the local councils must be submitted within one week. 

Rathnayake further said that the names of the elected members must be gazetted at the Divisional level, prior to convening the inaugural meetings of the local councils. 

Where there is no majority in a local council, a vote will take place when the council is convened for the first time, on 02 June. (Newswire)

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Election monitoring body, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has directed the attention of the National Election Commission to PM Harini Amarasuriya’s recent statement directing party supporters on ways to conduct propaganda during the silent period of the Local Government Elections. 

In a letter to the Election Commission, PAFFREL pointed out that the silent period of the Local Government Elections commenced from midnight on 03 May. 

PAFFREL revealed that during a political rally in Moratuwa on Saturday, hours before the silent period commenced, PM Harini Amarasuriya had told National People’s Power (NPP) party supporters that they can carry out campaigning in subtle ways.

“In another 04 hours, we enter the silent period. But you don’t need to become silent. You can make phone calls and say out loud certain words when you walk on the road. You can do this,” the PM said. 

Pointing out that it was a violation of the election law to carry out propaganda activities during the silent period, PAFFREL deemed a statement by the Prime Minister on ways to bypass the law a violation of the election law and disregard for the law. 

PAFFREL further said that such a statement by the Prime Minister, who is a key politician, was a threat to the good political culture of the country. 

As such, PAFFREL called on the Election Commission to conduct a probe and take necessary action, as this was considered a threat to a free and fair election. 

The matter has been raised in view of the 2025 Local Government Elections scheduled to be held tomorrow (06 May). (Newswire)

PM Harini advises their party members on how to break the election laws. #Lka pic.twitter.com/LtBlRtciR2

— Manjula Basnayake (@BasnayakeM) May 5, 2025

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The National Election Commission has issued a statement outlining activities that will be deemed misconduct during voting at the upcoming Local Government Elections. 

According to the Election Commission, the public has been urged to avoid taking photographs and videos of polling-related activities.

The public has also been informed to refrain from sharing photographs or videos of polling centres and marked ballots on social media. 

The Election Commission further states that using mobile phones, the possession of firearms, smoking and drinking, or entering the polling station under the influence of alcohol will be deemed misconduct.

The Local Government Election will be held tomorrow, 06 May 2025. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has initiated negotiations with the Ministry of Education to include election studies in the school curriculum, in a bid to boost political literacy among the public.

Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake, said plans are underway to include election studies in the Grade 08 syllabus. 

He pointed out the need for political literacy to be provided through formal education, due to the lack of adequate focus on civil rights and responsibilities in the state education system. 

The Commissioner General of Elections made the remarks yesterday while addressing a special seminar on the theme ‘Political Literacy in Sri Lanka and its Impact on Local Government Elections’. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has introduced a new digital service for voters to obtain details about candidates contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections. 

Accordingly, voters can visit the election commission website, https://eservices.elections.gov.lk or access details through a QR code.

Those visiting the website have been advised to click on the ‘For Citizens’ tab at the top of the site and then navigate to the ‘Know Your Candidate’ (KYC) section at the bottom of the page. 

The portal will provide details of candidates, party or independent group, and the local council.

The 2025 Local Government Election is scheduled for 06 May 2025. (Newswire)

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The Department of Government Information has issued a clarification statement regarding a newspaper report claiming that the National Election Commission had written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake over a recent statement, deemed a violation of election laws.

The Department of Government Information said that following inquiries made from the parties mentioned in the news report, it has been found that the news was false.

Issuing a statement regarding the headline story of a local newspaper today, the Department of Government Information further said that no such letter had been sent to the President by the Election Commission. 

According to the newspaper, a complaint had been filed with the Election Commission claiming that the President had violated election laws through his recent speech on a political stage ahead of the Local Government Election. 

The newspaper reported that election monitoring bodies had raised concerns over the President’s statement that funds would not be allocated to local government bodies that would not see a majority of National People’s Power (NPP) members being elected.

The election monitoring bodies had informed the Election Commission that the statement by the President, who is the Finance Minister of the country, was a violation of election laws, the newspaper report said. 

The newspaper further said that Election Commission sources had informed that the commission has sent a letter to the President regarding the election law violation.

However, the Department of Government Information confirmed that inquiries carried out in this regard have found that no such letter had been sent to the President by the Election Commission and that the news was false. 

Meanwhile, the National Election Commission has so far not responded to the media report. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has issued a directive to temporarily suspend the government’s decision to provide a relief package of essential items in view of the April festive season.

Accordingly, the Election Commission has informed the government to distribute the relief package after the Local Government polls.

The directive has been conveyed to the President’s Secretary and the Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security & Co-operative Development.

Earlier in March, Cabinet approval was granted for the distribution of an essential goods package for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival, from 01- 13 April 2025.

According to the government, a proposal was submitted under the budget 2025 by the President for the provision of an essential goods package for a concessionary price during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festive season.

As such, it was planned to provide a ‘timely food package’ containing essential food items valued at Rs. 5000 for only Rs. 2,500. 

Appropriate beneficiaries among 812,753 candidates who had submitted new applications to receive Aswesuma benefits were to be selected as eligible recipients. (Newswire)

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The acceptance of nominations for the Mannar, Poonakary, and Dehiattakandiya Pradeshiya Sabha Elections will commence today. 

According to the National Election Commission, the acceptance of nominations will conclude at 12.00 noon on 27 March 2025.

Meanwhile, the placing of deposits by candidates will end at 12.00 noon on 26 March 2025.

The Election Commission states there was a delay in beginning the acceptance of nominations for the three Pradeshiya Sabhas due to a court order. (Newswire)

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The Local Government Elections will be held on 06 May 2025, the National Election Commission announced today. 

The announcement was made during a special media briefing held following the conclusion of the acceptance of nominations for the local council elections. 

The acceptance of nominations for 336 local government institutions which commenced on 17 March concluded at 12.00 noon today. 

Meanwhile, the placing of deposits for the election concluded at midnight yesterday (19 Mar). 

According to the Election Commission, a total of 17,296,330 voters have qualified to vote in this year’s Local Council polls. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission says the date of the 2025 Local Government Elections will be announced today. 

According to the Commission, the date will be announced following the conclusion of the acceptance of nominations which will conclude at 12.00 noon today. 

The acceptance of nominations for 336 local government institutions commenced on 17 March 2025.

Meanwhile, the placing of deposits for the local government elections concluded at midnight yesterday (19 Mar). 

According to the Election Commission, a total of 155,976 new voters are eligible to vote in the upcoming Local Government Elections.

The Commission further said a total of 17,296,330 voters have qualified to vote in this year’s Local Council polls. (Newswire)

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The Election Commission has announced that nominations for the upcoming Local Government Elections will be accepted from March 17 until 12 noon on March 20

Political parties and independent groups intending to contest are required to submit their nominations within this period.

Further details regarding the election process are expected to be announced soon.

The Election Commission also announced that candidates can deposit bonds to contest in the election for 336 Local Government bodies from today (03) until 12.00 noon on March 19, excluding weekends and Poya days. (Newswire)

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Nominees for the Local Government Elections may apply in writing for refunds of their deposits before 28 February 2025 to the district election office, the National Election Commission announced today.

Issuing a statement, the Election Commission said nominees who had placed deposits for the 2023 Local Government Elections can receive their deposits by submitting the deposit receipts to their relevant district election office.

Nominees have been instructed to hand over their deposit receipts along with a written request before 28 February.

The Election Commission has also instructed district election offices to take the necessary steps to refund the funds to eligible nominees without delay. (Newswire)

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Representatives of political parties in Parliament have met with the Election Commission to discuss the scheduling of the upcoming local government election.

Taking to ‘X’, Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said at the meeting, opposition party representatives urged the Election Commission to set a date for the local government elections that would allow members of parliament to fulfil their duties without disruption, particularly during the budget debate. 

He said the Election Commission was informed that the opposition MPs are concerned that the nomination and campaigning process could interfere with their parliamentary responsibilities. 

“It is apparent that the government is keen to hold elections before its popularity wanes. One major issue the government is likely to face is the timing of salary payments for government staff in April. This could expose the government’s failure to deliver on pre-election promises, leading to disillusionment among a large portion of its voter base,” he said.  

MP Shanakiyan added that the opposition MPs urged the Election Commission to maintain its independence and credibility, by not heeding to pressure by the government. (Newswire)

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The Election Commission of Sri Lanka is set to provide the Police with a list of candidates who have failed to submit their income and expenditure reports since contesting the general election.

Police would initiate legal action accordingly, the Election Commission Chairman said.

He further noted that the names of candidates who submitted their income and expense reports have been displayed at district secretariats and district election offices. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has issued a breakdown of the income and expense reports related to the 2024 Parliamentary Election that have been handed over as of the deadline ending on 06 December 2024.

According to the Election Commission, a total of 7412 income and expense reports have been handed over from among 8361 candidates from all political parties who contested the election.

Meanwhile, 493 income and expense reports have been handed over from among 690 candidates from independent political groups that had contested. 

From the 527 named national list members, only 434 individuals have handed in their income and expense reports. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has requested all media platforms to refrain from issuing unofficial election results before the official announcements are made by the commission.

Issuing a statement, the Election Commission urged to adhere to the Gazette notification issued on 25 September on media guidelines for election coverage.

All print, broadcasting, and digital media, as well as social media users, have been urged to adhere to the Gazette. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has received a total of 490 complaints related to election law violations via social media within the month from October 11, 2024 to November 11, 2024. 

Issuing a statement, the Election Commission said after being informed social media companies had removed links and content related to 184 complaints.

However, social media companies have refused to remove links or content related to 87 complaints. 

The Election Commission said that social media companies are yet to review content related to 219 complaints. 

The complaints are on content related to hate speech, defamatory statements against race and religion, the use of children for election campaigning, and misinformation. (Newswire)

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