2024 Sri Lanka Parliament Election: Facts & Timeline

The 2024 Sri Lanka Parliament Election was held on 14 November 2024. This election elected members to the 17th Parliament of Sri Lanka. The National People’s Power (NPP) won 159 seats, and 113 seats required for a majority.

Results

Voting status:

Interesting Facts

• The NPP won 159 seats, setting a record for the most seats ever won by a Sri Lankan political party.
• NPP secured victories in every district, with the exception of Batticaloa.
• This election was the first since 1977 in which a single party achieved a super-majority.
• It was also the first time a non-Tamil political party won the Jaffna District.

Electoral System and Seats Allocation

The 2024 parliamentary election elected 225 members to the 17th Parliament. These seats are distributed as follows:

• 196 seats through electoral districts (based on proportional representation from voting)
• 29 seats via the National List, which allows political parties to nominate candidates who were not elected through direct voting but are deemed necessary for the effective functioning of the parliament.

This mixed system of representation aims to balance direct constituency representation with proportional representation, ensuring a more equitable distribution of seats for various political parties.

Voter and Candidate Statistics

A total of 8,821 candidates have filed nominations to contest the election. This number includes:

• 5,464 candidates representing registered political parties
• 3,357 independent candidates

The high number of candidates reflects a broad interest in Sri Lanka’s political future, with various parties and independent candidates vying for a role in the nation’s legislative process.

The elections will be held across 13,421 polling stations nationwide, with the Colombo electoral district having the highest concentration of both candidates (966). In contrast, Polonnaruwa has the fewest candidates, with only 120 contesting the election.

Timeline and Key Dates

The election process has been set in motion following significant political developments earlier in the year:

1. 21 September 2024: Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected as the President of Sri Lanka.
2. 24 September 2024: President Dissanayake, exercising his constitutional powers, dissolved the parliament and announced the date for the parliamentary elections. This move followed the completion of the five-year term of the previous parliament, which was set to expire in August 2025.
3. 4 October 2024: The nomination period for political parties and independent candidates commenced.
4. 10 October 2024: Eligible voters were required to submit applications for postal voting.
5. 30 October 2024: Postal voting officially commenced, providing voters with the opportunity to participate in the election ahead of Election Day.
6. 14 November 2024: Election Day. On this day, voters will cast their ballots at polling stations across the country. The results will determine the composition of the 17th Parliament and shape the future of Sri Lanka’s governance.

Regional Distribution and Major Areas

Among the various electoral districts, Colombo has the highest number of candidates, reflecting its significance as the country’s commercial capital. It is followed closely by Gampaha, a populous district in the Western Province. Therefore, These electoral districts are expected to be hotly contested, with various parties. They aims to secure a significant share of the vote.

Registered electors and seat allocation