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This is the way they cast their votes
View(s):COLOMBO DISTRICT
Peaceful poll, three frontrunners cast their ballots, slight drop in turnout
Voters in the Colombo District turned up in their millions yesterday to cast their votes to choose a new president.
Voting was brisk from the time polling centres opened at 7 a.m. and voting continued at a steady pace in most areas till 4 p.m. when polling closed, Election Commission officials said.
Several main candidates, including incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe, SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, cast their votes in the Colombo District.
The President voted at Colombo University’s College House while Mr. Premadasa cast his vote at the Vivekaramaya Purana Viharaya in Rajagiriya. NPP leader Dissanayake cast his vote at the polling booth at Saikoji Preschool at Abeysingharamaya in Panchikawatta.
With more than 1.7 million voters, the Colombo District has the second-largest voter strength, after Gampaha. At the close of the poll, 75 percent of registered voters had cast their votes. In the 2019 presidential election, the turnout was 82 percent.
Voting was largely peaceful, with a few reports of election law violations. One such incident was reported from Maharagama, where SJB and NPP supporters were seen putting up posters. Police intervened and stopped them.
GAMPAHA DISTRICT
Voter enthusiasm seen in early voting
The Gampaha District, with more than 1.8 million voters, has the highest number of registered voters. Here too, voters came in early to exercise their civic rights, indicating their enthusiasm. Voting was peaceful, with people lining up patiently outside polling centres, waiting for their turn.
As the polls closed at 4 pm, the Election Commission said 80 percent of registered voters had cast their votes in the district. In comparison, the turnout was 84 percent at the last presidential election in 2019.
Presidential candidate Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka cast his vote at the Sri Sudarshanaram Viharaya, Kelaniya.
Voting was peaceful, with few incidents of violations of election laws. Election monitoring group People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said it had received a complaint that pencils were given to mark the ballot papers at a polling centre in the Gampaha whereas pens were used in a majority of booths. The matter was referred to the election commission officials for resolution.
KALUTARA DISTRICT
Drop in voter turnout when compared to 2019 polls
The Kalutara District has more than a million registered voters. As polls ended at 4 pm, more than 75 percent of the registered voters had cast their vote, a significant drop when compared to the 2019 presential election, where the district’s turnout was more than 85 percent.
However, voters showed great enthusiasm as they trekked to the polling booths.
Voting was largely peaceful, with no reports of election law violations.
GALLE DISTRICT
One man arrested in otherwise peaceful polling
Brisk voting was observed in the Galle District, which has 903, 163 registered voters across ten electorates. Overall voter turnout stood at 74.9% when polls closed.
No major incidents of election violence were reported and polling was being conducted in a peaceful atmosphere amid tight security.
One arrest was reported at a polling station of a person who attempted to photograph his ballot paper using his mobile phone after voting.
The Galle District Returning Officer’s office said the incident occurred at the polling station at Thelwatta, SumanaramaViharaya in Mitiyagoda.
The suspect was identified as a 44-year-old former soldier residing in Thelwatta, Hikkaduwa.
He was arrested by police officers on duty when he allegedly attempted to secretly photograph his ballot paper prior to putting it into the ballot box.
In the days leading up to the election both the Election Commission and police had emphasised that the use of mobile phones within the polling station by voters was strictly prohibited.
MATARA DISTRICT
Trickle turns into stream in coastal town
A heavy downpour from early morning to about 8:30am discouraged some voters,
but picked up from about 9 a.m. as the rain receded.
As of 2 p.m., the overall turnout in this district of 686,175 registered voters across seven electorates, stood at about 64%. People voted at 526 polling stations in relative calm. As the polls closed at 4 p.m., the district recorded a voter turnout of 76.1%.
Four of the electorates, namely Deniyaya, Hakmana, Akuressa and Weligama have more than 100,000 registered voters.
In 2019, the ousted leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Pohottuwa carried the district with 374,481 valid votes, or 67.6%.
A main concern of many residents is severe flooding, the incidence of which has increased in recent years. They blame a defective salinity barrier, a ‘white elephant’ built to prevent salt water from the ocean mixing with Nilwala River water. Drinking water is also a concern.
HAMBANTOTA DISTRICT
Noticeable uptick after slow start
Voting in Hambantota District picked up after a slow start after polls opened at 7 a.m. The number of voters visiting polling stations was noticeably less in the early hours. However, there was a noticeable uptick in the number of voters coming to polling stations as the day went on with the voter turnout standing at 78% when polling closed at 4 p.m.
With 520, 940 voters spread across four electorates, Hambantota has the least number of voters among the three districts of the Southern Province.
Thissamaharamaya is the electorate with the most number of registered voters, with 188, 146. This is followed by Tangalle (136, 374), Mulkirigala (112, 369) and Beliatta (84, 051).
Voting took place at 416 polling stations in the district. No incidents of election violence were reported from the district and polling was peaceful.
Hambantota is the home district of the Rajapaksa family. Gotabaya Rajapaksa won the district at the last election with 278, 804 votes, which was 66.2% of the total valid votes.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa cast his vote at the polling station set up at the Medamulana D.A. Rajapaksa Maha Vidyalaya at about 8 a.m. yesterday.
KANDY DISTRICT
Slow start but sudden surge towards closing time
After a slow and a sudden surge towards the close of polling Kandy recorded an average of 80 per cent turnout.
Kandy District Secretary Chandana Tennakoon said the voting process was conducted peacefully at all 890 polling stations.
He said no incidents of attempted vote rigging or any such irregularities were reported.
Mr. Tennakoon also stated that approximately 8,600 officials were on duty for polling station activities in the Kandy District, and around 4,600 officials were involved in vote counting. In total, around 14,000 officials were deployed for all election-related duties in the Kandy district.
NUWARA ELIYA DISTRICT
Estate residents pouring in
After a slow start in the district, mainly due to rains and strong winds, the voting picked up. By noon, the turnout was 55%.
The weather improved in the afternoon encouraging more voters.
Voter interest among estate sector residents was higher than in towns.
In marked contrast to previous elections, where alcoholic drinks were distributed to supporters, such behaviour was not common.
Police said voting so far was without any incidents of violence.
But an election monitoring group said that there were complaints of some people dropping printed cards of a candidate near the polling booth.
One common complaint, mainly among the elderly was that the ballot paper was too long, which makes it difficult to find their chosen symbol.
Hoteliers in the area said that there were fewer visitors, but expect that to change after the polls.
MATALE DISTRICT
Final voter turnout lower than in 2019
The voting in the Matale District ended up much lower than the 2019 Presidential election, despite an increase in the voter turnout in the last few hours of polling.
Election officials estimated that the turn out was 74% per cent at the close of the poll, as against 85.3 per cent in 2019.
The Dambulla electorate with 151,373 votes saw a high interest among the voters in the early hours while the other electorates saw a moderate turnout.
However later in the day the voting increased.
Police and election officials said voting was peaceful without any major incidents.
BATTICALOA DISTRICT
Voter apathy and subdued interest
In the Eastern Province, the Batticaloa District experienced a slow morning with 23% turnout at noon creeping up to 35% by 2p.m. But a rush in the final two hours saw the district record a 69% turnout among its 449,686 registered voters by 4p.m.
Even by that time, however (one hour before polls closed), Batticaloa had the lowest turnout in the country. Local correspondents and election observers said interest was generally subdued among the district’s significant Muslim and Tamil populations.
There were no reported incidents of violence or major violations. Batticaloa police said voting was peaceful. Election observers reported one instance of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) transporting voters to the Kannankudah Kannaki Vidyalaya polling station in Batticaloa via van. The party is backing P. Ariyanethran as the Tamil common candidate.
DIGAMADULLA DISTRICT
Difference in participation between Sinhala and Muslim or Tamil areas
Voting in the electoral district of Digamadulla (Ampara) went on without a hitch with a 70% voter turnout by 4p.m. when voting closed from among its 555,432 voters.
There was, however, a difference in participation between Sinhala and Muslim or Tamil areas. Ampara District Secretary Chinthaka Abeywickrama said that while voting in Sinhala-majority areas had surpassed 70% by 2p.m, the minority areas lagged behind at roughly 50% around the same time.
The Elections Commission office in Digamadulla did not record any major violations, only some instances of illegal posters and banners. However, election observers reported one case of a parliamentarian standing inside the Al-Muneera School polling station for over half an hour and said the police did take action.
TRINCOMALEE DISTRICT
Complaints of not receiving polling cards in rural areas
Trincomalee reported an energetic 54.3% turnout from among 315,925 voters by 2p.m. The electoral district with the second smallest number of voters (after Vanni) went to the polls peacefully.
The Election Commission said they had not received any complaints as of 2p.m. on Saturday. When polling closed at 4 p,m, the final voter turnout stood at 76%.
According to election observers, a number of people, particularly from rural areas, had complained of not receiving their polling cards. At the request of the heads of polling booths, the GS had helped establish their identity so they could vote with their NICs alone.
MONARAGALA DISTRICT
First to farm, then to polling booth
In Monaragala, voters braved the scorching sun yesterday as they headed to voting centres across the district.
Total voter turnout was at 81%, an increase from the last presidential election. “Many voters usually come in the evening after concluding their agricultural activities,” said Assistant Election Commissioner Nagalingam Regan. He also noted that voters behaved peacefully and that there were no incidents of violence or unrest.
Election monitors and police from the area also noted that there were no incidents of election violations reported.
BADULLA DISTRICT
Voter turnout less than expected despite early surge
High voter enthusiasm was reported from Badulla as polls began at 7 a.m. with youths and the elderly queuing up outside polling centres.
However, the close-of-poll voter turnout was 73 percent, which District Secretary Panduka Shri Prabath Abeywardene said was less than what he expected. Vote counting started last night in Badulla Central College, while postal vote counting took place at Badulla Visakha Girls High School.
People’s Actions For Free And Fair Elections (PAFFREL) District Coordinator Wajira Umagilliya noted estate workers showed greater interest in the election yesterday than during the campaign. “Most arrived at the polling stations past noon and said it was because they had spent the mornings working.”
There were no major violations of the election laws, but there was concern when the Welimada Divisional Secretariat’s request for additional police security did not materialise. However, security around the district had been increased with STF at standby.
The usually busy Badulla town was calm yesterday with not many buses on the road.
RATNAPURA DISTRICT
Intermittent showers didn’t keep voters away
Ratnapura District Secretary Wasantha Gunarathne confirmed that half of the area’s 923,736 registered voters had cast their ballots across 700 polling stations by 2 p.m. By 4 p.m. when polling closed the voter turnout was 75%. Despite intermittent showers, people came in a steady stream to vote, said local officials. Around 115 election complaints of non-violent nature had been filed. Senior DIG of Police for Sabaragamuwa Province P.P.S.M. Dharmarathna said a polling agent at Sivali Central College in Hidellana, Ratnapura, had died on election day after being admitted to hospital with a heart condition.
KURUNEGALA DISTRICT
Peaceful voting, duty officers unhappy with working arrangements
The Kurunegala District recorded a 76 percent turnout from among its 1,417,226 registered voters at close of voting across 977 polling centres, Returning Officer R.M. R Ratnayake said.
There were 16,000 state employees deployed on election duty, of which 5,000 were in 143 counting centres. Voting started slowly in the morning but picked up later in the day. There was no violence with 3,700 police personnel and 1,000 civil defence personnel deployed to keep the peace.
An incident was reported where a policeman on election duty at the Wellamitiyawa School in the Weerambugedara Divisional Secretariat area had asked voters to select the NPP candidate. They complained to the Weerambugedara police, the district’s Election Commission branch and the Election Commission head office. He was removed and action taken against him.
Meanwhile, officers on election duty were unhappy with their working arrangements, having been told to bring their own breakfast, lunch and dinner.
PUTTALAM DISTRICT
Fisherfolk from Kalpitiya pay high prices to get to polling centres
The Puttalam District showed a 70 percent turnout from among its 663,673 registered voters at close of polling across 470 centres. Returning Officer H.M.S.P Herath said there were 8,581 officials deployed and voting was peaceful.
Fishing families from the Kalpitiya peninsula arrived on the Mohottuwarama Island by boat and travelled overland via tractor to their polling centre. Around 904 fisherfolk from Palliyawatta, Battalangunduwa, Uchchomune, Kirimundalama islands were registered to vote there and said they had spent around Rs.5,000 to 8,000 on the journey.
ANURADHAPURA DISTRICT
Voters arrive bright and early
With 741, 862 registered voters, the Anuradhapura District saw voters arriving bright and early at the 636 polling stations.
Voting began at 7am. By 10a.m, voter turnout was confirmed to be 30%. As at 12 noon, the voter turnout had increased to 50% and to 75% by 4pm.
District Secretary Ranjith Wimalasooriya told the Sunday Times that voting was peaceful. There were 95 counting centres and 119 polling staff had been deployed.
POLONNARUWA DISTRICT
18 election related violence by 5 p.m.
In the Polonnaruwa District, turnout was 38% by 10a,m. among its 351,302 registered voters, rising to 44% at midday and 78% when polling closed at 4 p.m. Five thousand election officials facilitated polling with 1,600 police personnel deployed. There were 292 polling stations and 48 counting centers.
Polonnaruwa Election Commission office said 18 complaints of election related violence and other violations were received as at 5pm. Five of them were related to illegal posters, banners and cut-outs, nine for obstruction of voting, one assault/mob attack in Medirigiriya, one involvement of public officers in politics, one incident of chasing out polling agents and one under the category of “other.”
Meanwhile, a police officer of the Pulasthipura Police Station died while on duty. Although he was rushed to the nearest hospital, he had passed away while being transferred to the intensive care unit.
Former President Maithripala Sirisena, too, was seen casting his vote. He had refused to campaign for any candidate at this election.
JAFFNA DISTRICT
Morning slow poll due to Purattathi pooja
In Jaffna, polling began with a lacklustre turnout. By 10 a.m., only about 10 percent of the voters had cast their ballots, but by afternoon the district recorded a 50 percent turnout as more voters turned up at the polling stations in the district.
The district returned a final voter turnout of 60 percent.
According to residents, the slow voting in the morning was due to religious reasons, with Hindus marking the birth of the Tamil month of Purattathi with prayers for Lord Vishnu.
Jaffna District Secretary M. Piratheepan told the Sunday Times the voting proceeded peacefully without any major violations or acts of violence.
According to the District Secretary, 45 election-related complaints were recorded during the pre-election period, and three complaints over election violations were recorded yesterday.
At a polling booth in Nayanmaarkattu, a youth was detained for allegedly tearing the ballot paper. He was handed over to the police.
Security has been tightened in and around the main counting centre at the Jaffna Central College and fifty-five other counting centres, with 2,300 police and Special Task Force (STF) personnel being deployed.
Air Force personnel transported ballot boxes from Delft Island while the Navy assisted in transporting ballot boxes from Nainathivu, Eluvaithivu, and Analaithivu.
In Jaffna district, 492,280 registered voters were eligible to cast their votes in 511 polling stations.
In Kilinochchi, which comes under the Jaffna electoral district, the voting concluded peacefully without any major violations of election laws or violent incidents. The electorate has 100,907 eligible voters.
VANNI DISTRICT
Long queues from morning outside polling booths
As polling centres opened at 7 am, voters lined up in long queues to cast their votes throughout this electoral district, which includes Mannar, Mullaithivu, and Vavuniya districts. In Mannar, high voter enthusiasm was seen in the region’s 98 polling stations. The EC has set up seven counting centres in Mannar.
As has been the case in almost all districts, there were no significant election law violations or violent incidents in the district. The district has 90,607 registered voters, including 4,098 postal voters. The voter turnout as the polls closed at 4 p.m. was 72 percent.
Voter enthusiasm was also high in Vavuniya, with people going to polling stations from 7 a.m. The district has 128,585 registered voters. In the former war-torn district of Mullaithivu, with 86,889 registered voters, polling was peaceful, with no significant violations taking place.
KEGALLE DISTRICT
Long queues show public enthusiasm
Kegalle District Secretary J.M.R.P. Jayasinghe said turnout among 709,622 registered voters was around 59% by 2p.m. There were 577 polling stations. Long queues were observed in Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota, Galigamuwa, and Dehiowita electorates, reflecting strong public enthusiasm. By 3 p.m., a few polling stations, including those in Narammala, Thunbage, Kengoda, and Warakapola, experienced a lull. Here, too, intermittent rains did not deter voting.
The final voter turnout when polls closed stood at 75%.
Senior DIG Dharmarathna confirmed there had been no violence as at 2pm. In the morning, however, one person was arrested in the Galapitamada police area, Kegalle, for distributing election-related leaflets within 100 meters of a polling station in violation of election laws.
Chandani Kirinde,
Sandun Jayawardana, S. Rubatheesan,
Kasun Warakapitiya, Miriam Alphonsus,
Dilushi Wijesinghe, Tharushi Weerasinghe,
Jayani Madawala and Nathara Abeywickrema
Additional reporting by:
Ravindra Welagedara (Kegalle),
A.G. Wickremesinghe (Ratnapura),
Janur Kitchilan (Kurunegala), Hiran Priyankara (Puttalam), Sugathapala Diyagahage & Chandana Samarawickrema (Galle), Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk (Matara), Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi
(Hambantota), N. Lohathayalan (Jaffna & Vanni), Nimal Jayarathna (Polonnaruwa) and Dayarathne Abogama (Anuradhapura), K.R. Rajamanthri, Palitha Ariyawansha (Badulla ), Sumanasiri Gunathilake (Monaragala), Amadoru Amarajeewa (Trincomalee), Theva Athiran (Batticaloa), Mahesh Kirthratne (Matale), Shane Senevirthne (Kandy) and Shelton Hettiarachchi (Nuwara Eliya)
Pix by: Nilan Maligaspe, Priyanka Samaraweera
Eshan Fernando, Gayan Amarasekara, Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe, Shane Senevirtne,
Shelton Hettiarachchi, Sugathapala Diyagahage, Rahul Samantha, N.Lohatayalan, Deva Adhiram and Nimal Jayarathna
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