The Election Commission has announced that 667,240 votes were rejected during the 2024 General Election, reflecting a significant portion of the total votes cast.
Commissioner General of Elections, Mr. Saman Sri Ratnayake, provided detailed statistics regarding voter turnout and vote validity:
- Number of Eligible Voters: 17,140,354
- Votes Cast: 11,815,246
- Valid Votes: 11,148,006
- Rejected Votes: 667,240
The rejection of votes often results from errors such as improperly marked ballots, a lack of voter understanding, or deliberate spoiling of ballots as a form of protest.
Despite the rejected votes, this year’s election has been praised for its peaceful conduct. Mr. Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), described it as the most peaceful election in Sri Lanka’s history, with minimal incidents reported.
This election marked a decisive victory for the National People’s Power (NPP), securing 159 seats in Parliament and reshaping the country’s political landscape. However, the large number of rejected votes raises questions about voter education and the clarity of the voting process, which stakeholders may need to address in future elections.
