Sri Lanka’s Election Commission chairman, RMAL Rathnayake, announced that the final results of the September 21 Presidential Election are expected to be concluded by September 22, even if the election moves to a second preference count.
Ratnayake said that while he could not provide an exact timeframe for the final announcement, the commission is aiming to complete the process within the day.
Many reports have speculated that the 2024 Presidential election could mark the first time in Sri Lankan history that the vote advances to second preference counting.
Under the country’s electoral rules, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the total vote to win the presidency. If no candidate reaches this majority, all except the top two candidates will be eliminated, and the second preferences from the eliminated candidates’ ballots will be redistributed.
Despite the lack of prior experience in second preference voting, Ratnayake assured the public that the election officers have been thoroughly trained in handling this process. In the event of second preference counting, the results will be announced on a district-by-district basis.
Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election is scheduled for September 21, 2024. (NewsWire)
