Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka is holding snap parliamentary elections, just over seven weeks after electing a new president, following a turbulent period marked by economic hardship and political upheaval. Over 8,800 candidates from 49 political parties and 284 independent groups are competing for 225 parliamentary seats, with the election taking place with a low-key campaign.
Voting began at 07:00 local time(01:30 GMT) and will continue until 16:00(10.30 GMT). Results are expected to be announced on the 15th of November after the vote count begins in the evening. While 196 seats will be directly elected, the remaining seats will be administered proportionally based on party votes.
Despite the high number of candidates, only about 1,000 have actively campaigned, according to Rohana Hettiarachchi, executive director of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections. The election follows a severe economic crisis that led to the ousting of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2022. His successor, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, secured a bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) but struggles persist, with inflation, food, and fuel shortages continuing to affect the population.
Many Sri Lankans still face economic hardship, with 25.9 percent of the population living below the poverty line, up from previous years. The World Bank forecasts modest economic growth of just 2.2 percent in 2024, and reports indicate that public services, including hospitals, are struggling with rising costs.
As voters head to the polls, there are expectations of a multi-cornered contest, with a divided vote possibly limiting the chances of President Dissanayake’s party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), from securing the needed two-thirds majority for implementing reforms. Analysts predict that coalition support may be required, complicating the political landscape further.
Despite the tense economic situation, the election campaign has remained largely relaxed, with minimal reports of violence compared to previous elections. Election officials remain hopeful that the process will proceed smoothly.
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