Presidential Polls 2024: Voting begins

6:00 p.m.: Final voter turnout is estimated to be between 75 and 85 per cent, according to election monitors.

5:30 p.m.: Ballot boxes are being transported to counting centers for counting process.

4:00 p.m.: Polling concludes, marking the end of Election Day.

3:45 p.m.: Voter enthusiasm in Ekala area 

3:40 p.m.: Election monitoring group PAFFREL overseeing the polling process in Boralesgamuwa. 

3:39 p.m.: Strong voter enthusiasm in Nuwara Eliya persists despite adverse weather conditions.

3:37 p.m.: High voter enthusiasm in Badulla as citizens turn out in large numbers to cast their votes.

3:35 p.m.: Voter enthusiasm on full display in Dambulla as citizens actively participate in Election Day.

3.30 pm: An average voter turn out of over 65 per cent has been reported so far.

2:30 p.m.: Voters in Ambalanthota show strong enthusiasm as they head to polling stations.

1:30 p.m.: Jaffna District's voter turnout so far is at 35 percent.

1.00 p.m.: In most districts over 50 per cent of the voters have cast their votes. 

12:15 p.m.: NPP leader and presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake casts his vote. 

12:12 p.m.: Presidential candidate Wijedasa Rajapaksa casts his vote.

12.00 noon: The Department of Meteorology has  scattered rains today across the Galle, Matara, Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya, and Kandy districts. The Sabaragamuwa Province is also expected to experience some showers, though not heavy, particularly later in the day, Meril Mendis, Deputy Director of Weather Forecasting & Early Warning at the Department of Meteorology said.

11:15 a.m.: Colombo district voter turn out so far is 27 percent, Deputy Commissioner of Elections M.M.S.K Bandara Mapa said.

European Union election monitoring groups arrive to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process, observing key polling stations across the country

11:00 a.m.: The average voter turn out so far,  in most districts are over 30 per cent, election officials said. 

Voter enthusiasm runs high in Ekala as citizens eagerly head to the polls

10:25 a.m.: Opposition Leader and SJB Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa casts his vote.

10.20 a.m.: Heavy rains in Nuwara Eliya, but enthusiasm among voters high.

10.05 a.m.: Independent Presidential candidate and incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe casts his vote.

10.00 a.m.: Three hours into the poll, voting is continuing at a steady pace without any major incidents.

Voters in Nuwara Eliya turned out with great enthusiasm, eager to cast their votes

9:30 a.m.: Commonwealth observers monitoring proceedings at the S. Thomas’ Preparatory School polling station.

9:25 a.m.: The Naula Police has arrested an office assistant assigned for election duties last night as he was under the influence of liquor and acted in a manner to disrput the election process. The incident took place at the Naula - Pubbiliya Model School polling station and he is to be produced before the Naula Magistrate’s Court today.

9:20 a.m.: SLPP candidate Namal Rajapaksa cast his vote a short while ago. “ Every vote matters for the future of the country,” Mr. Rajapaksa said in a X post.

9:18 a.m.: Chairman of the Election Commission R.M.A.L.Ratnayake urged voters to go to their respective polling booths early and cast their vote. He urged people to avoid gathering outside polling booths.

9:08 a.m.: Public Security Minister Tiran Alles who spoke to reporters after casting his vote a short while ago said all measures are in place to ensure security in the country and appealed to all citizens to ensure a peaceful conduct of the poll.

9:00 a.m.: Brisk voting has been reported across the country in the first two hours of the poll.

Voting to elect the 9th Executive President of the country commenced a while ago as thousands of Sri Lankans are lined up in front of queues to cast their votes in their respective polling stations across the country.  

The voting process commenced at 7 a.m. today and will be underway till 4 p.m. 17,140,354 eligible voters will be casting their votes to elect the President among 39 candidates. 

13,421 polling centres have been setupped across the island with some 63,000 police personnel on duty to ensure peaceful elections.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has informed voters not to take their mobile phones when going to vote. Selfies, photos/videos at polling booths are strictly prohibited. 

Pictures from Waskaduwa, Union Place and Malabe as voting process commenced a short awhile ago.