High Turnout Signals Close Sri Lankan Race

Preliminary estimates record close to 80% polling; minority Tamil, Muslim regions see over 70% voting

- Meera Srinivasan

Saturday’s presidential election in Sri Lanka may be headed for a tight race between hopefuls Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Sajith Premadasa, following a high voter turnout, including in the north and east, home to a large population of minority Tamils and Muslims.

According to preliminary estimates provided by the Election Commission, about 80% of the eligible citizens cast their votes, comparable to the 81.52% recorded in the 2015 election.

Initial trends are likely to emerge by Sunday afternoon, while official results will be declared on Monday. Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said Saturday’s poll was the “most peaceful” presidential election in his experience, barring an incident in which gunmen fired at buses transporting Muslims to polling stations in what some feared was an intimidation tactic. However, no injuries were reported and the passengers reached the booths on time, he told mediapersons.

Most districts in the north and east polled over 70%, and the final figure could be marginally higher than the turnout recorded in the regions in 2015, local officials told The Hindu.