The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has called on all eligible citizens to ensure their names are included in the 2026 electoral register, as the voter enumeration process began on February 1.

PAFFREL urged young citizens who turn 18 between February 1, 2025, and January 31, 2027, to register through their local Grama Niladhari by submitting the YC form.

Those who were not listed in last year’s register but are now eligible must apply using the ER form, PAFFREL said.

Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi stressed that being listed in the register is essential to vote in any election and said it is both a right and a civic duty. He encouraged the public to spread awareness among family, friends, and colleagues.

More information is available at www.elections.gov.lk (Newswire)

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The voter census activities for the year 2026 are scheduled to commence on 1st February 2026, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) announced.

Issuing a statement, PAFFREL stated that, as in previous years, census officers will not visit every household. They will only visit households relevant to updating the “A” and “Aa” lists, which include newly added and removed names. Only households from which voter information is to be collected will be visited.

According to PAFFREL, political party representatives will have the opportunity to observe how the census is conducted, and after officers collect the information, they may also observe the officers’ recommendations on whether a person is suitable or not to be registered as a voter.

Noting that if irregularities are observed, PAFFREL said representatives may notify the census officer in writing, with a copy of such notification promptly forwarded to the relevant District Deputy or Assistant Commissioner.

The organization listed possible irregularities, including:

• Names of citizens with ordinary residence not being added as voters.
• Eligible persons not being added or not recommended as suitable.
• Persons under 18 years of age already registered or recommended for 2026 (not applicable to supplementary lists).
• Persons without ordinary residence applying under certain addresses and being recommended as suitable.
• Individuals applying to be registered under more than one address.
• False information being presented for voter registration or ineligible persons being put forward.

Highlighting its long-standing experience, PAFFREL said that while political parties are allowed to appoint representatives at Grama Niladhari division level to observe the census process, only a few parties actually do so, while the majority fail to appoint representatives.

“We emphasize that raising complaints close to an election about supporters’ names not being included in the voter list is of no use. If political party representatives actively engage in this process, it will ensure that all eligible persons are included in the voter register and that ineligible persons are excluded,” PAFFREL added. (Newswire)

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Election monitoring body, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), says the Provincial Council elections, which have been delayed for a long time, must now be conducted promptly.

Issuing a statement, PAFFREL stated that the term of the current Provincial Councils ended on September 20, 2014, and it has been 11 years since then. 

According to the law, Provincial Council elections should be held every six years, but due to various reasons, this has not been implemented. Despite repeated requests from the public, the necessary legal and administrative steps to hold the elections have not been taken.

As such, PAFFREL points out that the delay in conducting the elections has raised concerns among the public and civil society organizations. 

They argue that further postponement would undermine democratic principles and the rule of law. Legal experts have pointed out that the failure to hold elections violates constitutional provisions and democratic norms.

Stating that if the Provincial Council Act or the Provincial Council Elections Act is amended, it could further delay the process, PAFFREL said; however, the primary focus should be on fulfilling the legal requirements to conduct the elections without further delay.

In the meantime, civil society groups and activists have intensified their campaigns, urging the government to take immediate action. They emphasize that holding the elections is essential to ensure public representation and uphold democratic governance. (Newswire)

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The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has called on the Constitutional Council to urgently recommend a suitable individual to fill the vacant position of commissioner in the Right to Information (RTI) Commission. 

PAFFREL pointed out that the position has remained unfilled for over three months following the resignation of its Chairman.

PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi, issuing a statement, stressed that the delay in appointing a replacement has significantly hampered the effective functioning of the Commission, which plays a vital role in upholding transparency and accountability in governance.

The organization highlighted that the RTI Act, passed in 2016 after decades of public advocacy, was a landmark victory for civil society and a powerful tool for citizens to combat corruption and demand government accountability. “It has cultivated a new culture of transparency and empowered citizens and organizations alike,” PAFFREL noted.

The RTI Commission consists of five members, appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Council. While the Council is responsible for nominating a suitable candidate to fill the commissioner vacancy, the President is tasked with appointing one among the current members as the new Chairperson.

PAFFREL urged that the nominee for the vacant post be a person of proven integrity, free from past allegations, and capable of fulfilling the Commission’s mandate. It also appealed to the President to promptly appoint a Chairperson from among the four existing members or the new appointee once nominated.

The statement concluded by emphasizing the importance of equipping the fully constituted Commission with adequate staff and resources to carry out its duties effectively. (Newswire)

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Election monitoring body, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), has condemned the alleged attack on Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) United National Party (UNP) member Uduwaduge Sandamali by an unidentified group. 

Issuing a statement, PAFFREL said that the incident had occurred on Monday when the CMC Councillor was waiting near her office.

PAFFREL pointed out that no one has the right to act against any person for sharing their political views in any area, which is a right under the Constitution of Sri Lanka. 

The election monitoring body noted that this was an unfortunate incident which counters efforts to promote female participation in governance. 

As such, PAFFREL called on the authorities to immediately arrest the suspects involved in the incident, irrespective of their status, and to initiate legal action. (Newswire)

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Election monitoring body, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), says the Election Commission has already initiated the process of revising the Electoral Register for the year 2025.

Issuing a statement, PAFFREL points out that it is mandatory that the names of all Sri Lankan citizens who are eligible to vote are included in the Electoral Register. 

As such, PAFFREL has outlined the following measures through which the public can register and check their registration; 

Revision of Electoral Register 2025

This is the right time to check whether you have been registered as a voter. Basic qualifications required to register as a voter.

• Be a Sri Lankan citizen
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Applicant’s usual residence

You can register:

• Online through the Election Commission’s link https://eservices.elections.gov.lk/pages/home.aspx
• By meeting the Grama Niladhari of the relevant area

You can check your registration as follows;

• Period: From July 11, 2025 to August 07, 2025

You can check your registration in the following Organization;

• Online through the Election Commission’s link https://eservices.elections.gov.lk/pages/home.aspx
• District Election Offices,
• Divisional Secretariats,
• Grama Niladhari Offices Through “A” and “B” lists placed for public display

After checking your registration, what should you do if you notice the following?

• Your name or that of someone else in your family is not included.
• Inclusion of some other names that you did not include.
• Inclusion of your name in another list.
• If someone from another area is included in the electoral list in your area.

What ought to be done?

To rectify it immediately, meet your Grama Niladhari, fill in the relevant claim form or objection form as the case may be, and submit it to the Assistant/Deputy Election Commissioner of your district.

If you have any problem regarding the revision of the electoral register, contact the PAFFREL Special Facilitation Centre via:

• Tel – 011-2558570/71
• Fax – 011-2558572
• Mobile / WhatsApp – 0704232688
• Email – paffrel@sltnet.lk 
• Address –The Paffrel, No. 16, Byrd Place, Pamankada Road, Colombo 06. (Newswire)

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Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya says she will respect any action taken by the Election Commission against her recent statement in Moratuwa if it is deemed a violation of the Election Law. 

Speaking to reporters after casting her vote at the 2025 Local Government Elections, PM Amarasuriya said she had not made that statement with the intention of breaking the Election Law. 

“At the time, I openly told that our election campaigning activities had concluded and must end. If my statement is in any way considered a violation, then I will respect the Election Commission’s action. It is irrelevant if it is an ordinary person or the Prime Minister; the law is equal and must be applied to me as well,” she said. 

PM Amarasuriya further expressed happiness that even small mistakes are being questioned at present, which she said is a sign of the change in the political culture. 

“Earlier, people were talking only about big issues. Now they are questioning even small matters. This shows a change in the political culture. We have increased the standards. It is proven that the society has more democracy at present,” she added.

The Prime Minister made the statement in response to criticism over her speech in Moratuwa, where she had told NPP party supporters that they can carry out campaigning in subtle ways, even though the silent period of the 2025 Local Government Elections commences. 

“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 had said. 

Raising the matter with the Election Commission, the election monitoring body, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) pointed out that it was a violation of the Election Law to carry out propaganda activities during the silent period.

In a letter to the Commission, PAFFREL said that a statement by the Prime Minister on ways to bypass the law was a violation of the Election Law and showed a disregard for the law. 

Stating that such a statement by the Prime Minister, who is a key politician, was a threat to the political culture of the country, 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. (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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A total of 164 violations of the Election Law have been reported today, during the course of the 2024 Presidential Election.

According to the election monitoring body, People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL), among the violations, 109 are confirmed and 55 are unconfirmed. 

The violations reported are related to attacks on political party/candidate Offices, carrying out Illegal election propaganda, maintaining Illegal party offices, influencing voters, irregularities relating to Ballot Papers, and casting votes illegally/attempting to impersonate. 

PAFFREL further said that the 2024 Presidential Election has been largely peaceful. 

Meanwhile, the National Election Commission Chairman also said that no major incidents of election law violations have been reported during the course of the Presidential Election. 

The Election Commission Chairman also confirmed that the 2024 Presidential Polls have been largely peaceful. (Newswire)

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Election monitoring body, the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has raised concerns over a special religious observance organized at the Kataragama Kiriviharaya this week to invoke blessings on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

In a letter to the Election Commission Chairman, PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said the Ministry of Public Affairs has informed all district and provincial secretaries to participate in the religious observance that has been organized for this Saturday (Aug 10).

Rohana Hettiarachchi pointed out that as district and provincial secretaries are appointed as district returning officers or assistant officers for the election, it was unlawful for them to attend any event related to the Prime Minister ahead of the upcoming election.

He further said that, if the district returning officers, who have a special role in the election process, participate in this kind of event, doubts will arise about them in the society, and the integrity of the election will be seriously affected.

If there is distrust among the other officials working under the district returning officers, such a situation can also negatively impact the election process, he pointed out. 

The PAFFREL Executive Director said it is their opinion that the district returning officers, who play a crucial role in the election process, should not be called for the religious observance organized for the PM.

As such, Rohana Hettiarachchihas requested the National Election Commission to look into the matter and take appropriate measures. (Newswire)

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Election monitoring bodies have raised concerns over the National All Ceylon Nursing Conference held under the patronage of National Peoples Power (NPP) Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Maharagama on Sunday.

In a letter to the Election Commission, the Campaign for Free & Fair Election (CAFFE) pointed out the attendance of government nursing staff in uniform at the conference.

CAFFE pointed out that using uniforms provided via state funds for election propaganda was unethical and unlawful under the election laws.

Also, in a letter to the National Election Commission, the People’s Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) highlighted that the incident was a violation of election laws. (Newswire)

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