SJB MP Harsha de Silva says the result of the 2025 Local Government election has proved that the NPP government overestimated itself.

Taking to Facebook, the Opposition MP said that the 2025 election results point to a significant decline in the ruling government’s voter support.

“The drop in vote share suggests a weakening in the popularity of the government over a short period,” de Silva said marking what he described as the end of its “overestimation.”

The MP also noted that while the SJB has improved its vote share, it is not yet sufficient.

However, he expressed optimism that this momentum marks a new beginning. De Silva pledged respect for the current public mandate and offered conditional support to the government during what he said were critical moments for the country. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka held its 2025 Local Government election today to choose members for Municipal Councils, Urban Councils, and Pradeshiya Sabhas, which oversee services such as garbage collection, park maintenance, and local road upkeep.

Under Sri Lanka’s Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system, introduced in 2017, voters select a political party or independent group in their local ward.

Seats are then distributed based on the overall share of votes each party receives. First used in the 2018 election, the MMP system combines direct ward-level representation with proportional allocation, making the vote-counting process more complex.

What happens if no party wins a majority?

To control a council, a party or group must secure more than half the available seats. If no party achieves a majority, the party with the most seats cannot govern alone.

In such cases, it must form a coalition or alliance with other parties or independent members to reach a majority.

If the leading party fails to build a coalition, other parties may form an alliance to gain control, even if none individually won the most seats. This often occurs in areas with fragmented vote shares.

Parties which did not receive the highest vote count may still assume control through strategic alliances. During the first meeting of the Council, parties and groups may agree to elect a Mayor, Chairman, or to form a ruling coalition.

For example, in the Tangalle Urban Council, the NPP won 9 seats while opposition parties and independent groups secured a combined 11 seats.

A chairman could be elected if the NPP forms a majority alliance with either an opposition party, an independent group or an elected member.

According to the Election Commission, if a party or group wins more than 50% of seats, its leader can appoint the Chairman or Mayor. 

If no majority is achieved, these positions are filled by a vote at the first council meeting. (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 National People’s Power (NPP) has warned of a massive people’s struggle in June to urge the government to hold the Local Government polls. 

NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a rally in Balapitiya that June 09th marks three months since the delay of the Local Government elections. 

He further stated that all NPP candidates who were to contest in the Local Government elections will gather before the National Election Commission on June 08th to demand the election be conducted. 

Stating that protest campaigns will also be organized in Gampaha, Hambantota and Anuradhapura, MP Dissanayake said that a massive people’s struggle will finally be launched in Colombo.

The NPP Leader revealed that the party was working towards building Sri Lanka as a nation suitable for all citizens to live in, adding that his party was ready to take up the challenge.

MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake added that the nominations for the  Presidential elections should be called for by August next year, while Local Government and Provincial Council elections should have been conducted by then. (NewsWire)

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