Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The Delimitation Commission shall divide Sri Lanka into not less than twenty and not more than *[twenty-five] Electoral Districts and shall assign names thereto
Source: Constitution, Art. 96(1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/01/28
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
d . Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
Comments: (2)Each Province of Sri Lanka may itself constitute an electoral district or may be divided into two or more electoral districts.
(3) Where a Province is divided into a number of electoral districts the Delimitation Commission shall have regard to the existing administrative districts so as to ensure as far as is practicable that each electoral district shall be an administrative district or a combination of two or more administrative districts or two or more electoral districts together constitute an administrative district.
Source: Constitution, Art. 96 (2-3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/01/28
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
d . Boundary Commission
Comments: The Delimitation Commission shall divide Sri Lanka into not less than twenty and not more than *[twenty-five] Electoral Districts and shall assign names thereto
Source: Constitution, Art. 96(1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/01/28
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
a . Head of State is the Head of Government
Comments: There shall be a President of the Republic of Sri Lanka, who is the Head of the State, the Head of the Executive and of the Government, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Source: Constitution, Art. 30: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/01/28
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
f . Other
Comments: The President of the Republic shall be elected by the People, and shall hold office for a term of six years
At the election of the President every voter while casting his vote for any candidate may where there are three candidates for election, specify his second preference and where there are more than three candidates for election, specify his second and third preferences.
The candidate, if any, who receives more than one-half of the valid votes cast shall be declared elected as President. Where no candidate is declared elected, the candidate or candidates, other than the candidates who received the highest and second highest number of such votes, shall be eliminated from the contest, and the second preference of each voter whose vote had been for a candidate eliminated from the contest, shall, if it is for one or the other of the remaining two candidates, be counted as a vote for such candidate and be added to the votes counted in his favour and the third preference of each voter whose second preference is not counted under that sub-paragraph shall, if it is for one or the other of the remaining two candidates, be counted as a vote for such candidate and be added to the votes counted in his favour. The candidate who receives the majority of the votes so counted shall be declared elected as President.
Source: Constitution, Art. 30(2), 94(1-2): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/01/28
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 30, 31, 94: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/01/28
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: There shall be a Parliament which shall consist of two hundred and twenty-five Members elected in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution
Source: Constitution, Art. 62: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/01/28
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
g . List Proportional Representation
Comments: Every elector at an election of Members of Parilament shall, in addition to his vote, be entitled to indicate his preferences for not more than three candidates nominated by the same recognized political party or independent group
Every recognized political party and independent group polling **[less than one twentieth of the total votes] polled at any election in any electoral district shall be disqualified from having any candidates of such party or group being elected for that electoral district.
The votes polled by the disqualified parties and independent groups, if any, shall be deducted from the total votes polled at the election in that electoral district and the number of votes resulting from such deduction is hereinafter referred to as the “relevant numbers of votes.”
(7) The relevant number of votes shall be divided by the number of members to be elected for that electoral district reduced by one, if the number resulting from such division is an integer, that integer, or if that number is an integer and fraction, the integer immediately higher to that integer and fraction is hereinafter referred to as the “resulting number.”
The number of votes polled by each recognized political party and independent group (other than those parties or groups disqualified under paragraph (6) of this Article) beginning with the party or group which polled the highest number of votes shall then be divided by the resulting number and the returning officer shall declare elected from each such party or group, in accordance with the preferences secured by each of the candidates nominated by such party or group (the candidate securing the highest number of preferences being declared elected first, the candidate securing the next highest number of preferences being declared elected next and so on) such number of candidates (excluding the candidate declared elected under paragraph (5) of this Article) as is equivalent to the whole number resulting from the division by the resulting number of the votes polled by such party or group
Source: Constitution, Art. 99(2, 6-8): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/01/28
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
The Parliamentary Elections Act 1981: https://cmev.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/presidential_election_act.pdf
Verified: 2016/02/04
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections b . Regional elections c . Local elections d . Referendums e . Other
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
The Parliamentary Elections Act 1981: https://cmev.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/presidential_election_act.pdf
Verified: 2016/02/04
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: a) There is no provision in the Constitution or in the Electoral Law specifying that voting at national level is compulsory.
Source: Constitution: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
The Parliamentary Elections Act 1981: https://cmev.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/presidential_election_act.pdf
Verified: 2016/02/04
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary b . EMB
Comments: The Court of Appeal shall have and exercise jurisdiction to try election petitions in respect of the election to the membership of Parliament.
The hearing and determination of a proceeding relating to the election of the President shall be by at least five Judges of the Supreme Court of whom, unless he otherwise directs, the Chief Justiceshall be one.
Source: Constitution, Art. 144: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
The Parliamentary Elections Act 1981, Art. 92: https://cmev.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/presidential_election_act.pdf
Verified: 2016/02/04
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level c . Local level d . Other kinds of elections (church, union, etc.) Please specify.
Comments: The Commission shall exercise, perform and discharge all such powers, duties and functions conferred or imposed on or assigned to –
(a) theCommission;or
(b) theCommissioner-GeneralofElections,
by the Constitution, and by the law for the time being relating to the election of the President, the election of Members of Parliament, the election of members of Provincial Councils, the election of members of Local Authorities and the conduct of Referenda, including but not limited to all the powers, duties and functions relating to the preparation and revision of registers of electors for the purposes of such elections and Referenda and the conduct of such elections and Referenda.
Source: Constitution, Art. 104B (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: The Commission shall be responsible and answerable to Parliament for the exercise, performance and discharge of its powers, duties and functions and shall forward to Parliament for each calendar year a report of its activities for such year.
Source: Constitution, Art. 104B (3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: The Commission shall be responsible and answerable to Parliament for the exercise, performance and discharge of its powers, duties and functions and shall forward to Parliament for each calendar year a report of its activities for such year.
Source: Constitution, Art. 104B (3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: A member of the Commission shall hold office for a period of five years from the date of appointment.
Source: Constitution, Art. 103 (6): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
c . Mixed
Comments: The Commission shall be responsible and answerable to Parliament. All members of the Commission shall be deemed to be public servants.
Source: Constitution, Art. 104B (3), 103 (9): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: The Election Commission consists of 5 members.
Source: Constitution, Art. 103 (1), 104, 104E: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
b . Expertise
Comments: The members of the Electoral Commission are selected from amongst persons who have distinguished themselves in any profession or in the fields of administration or education.
Source: Constitution, Art. 103 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State b . Head of Government f . Judiciary
Comments: The members of the Electoral Commission are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council.
Source: Constitution, Art. 103 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body d . National Government f . Local Governments g . NGOs/ Civic Organizations i . Media
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Department of Elections: http://www.slelections.gov.lk/index.html (2012);
Report of the Commonwealth Expert Team on Sri Lanka Presidential Election of 26 January 2010: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/files/220094/FileName/FINALREPORT-CET2010PrintVersion.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2016/02/04
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
b . Election time only
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Department of Elections: http://www.slelections.gov.lk/index.html (2012);
Report of the Commonwealth Expert Team on Sri Lanka Presidential Election of 26 January 2010: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/files/220094/FileName/FINALREPORT-CET2010PrintVersion.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2016/02/04
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
h . Yes, conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations i . Yes, conducted by Political Parties/ Candidates
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Department of Elections: http://www.slelections.gov.lk/index.html (2012);
Report of the Commonwealth Expert Team on Sri Lanka Presidential Election of 26 January 2010: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/files/220094/FileName/FINALREPORT-CET2010PrintVersion.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2016/02/04
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: The franchise shall be exercisable at the election of the President of the Republic and of the Members of Parliament and at every Referendum by every citizen who has attained the age of eighteen years
Source: Constitution, Art. 4 (e): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship
Comments: No person shall be qualified to be an elector at an election of the President, or of the Members of Parliament or to vote at any Referendum, if he is subject to any of the following disqualifications, namely –
(a) if he is not a citizen of SriLanka;
(b) if he has not attained the age of eighteen years on the qualifying date specified by law under the provisions of Article 101
Source: Constitution, Art. 89: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
d . Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: The Commission shall exercise, perform and discharge all such powers, duties and functions conferred or imposed on or assigned to –
(a) theCommission;or
(b) theCommissioner-GeneralofElections,
by the Constitution, and by the law for the time being relating to the election of the President, the election of Members of Parliament, the election of members of Provincial Councils, the election of members of Local Authorities and the conduct of Referenda, including but not limited to all the powers, duties and functions relating to the preparation and revision of registers of electors for the purposes of such elections and Referenda and the conduct of such elections and Referenda.
Source: Constitution, art. 104B(1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: No provision in Constitution for compulsory voter registration
Source: Constitution: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
b . Deposit requirement (specify amount)
Comments: After the proclamation of the elections, every recognized political party intending to contest an election shall, within seven days, notify the Commissioner of its intention to so contest in writing and the Commissioner should assign an approved symbol for such political party. A group leader of an independent group has to make a deposit of a sum of Rupees 2000/= at the time of submitting the nomination paper and this deposit is forfeiter if the independent group does not poll more than 1\8 th of the total polled at the particular election.
Source: Official Website of the Parliament: http://www.parliament.lk/about_us/nomination_requirements.jsp (2012);
Parliament Elections Act of 1981, Art. 11, 16
Verified: 2016/02/04
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship d . Residence
Comments: a) 18 years;
d) Ordinary residence at the relevant address on the operative date, and the name entered in the appropriate register of electors.
Source: Constitution, Art. 88, 89, 90, 91: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments: Any recognized political party or any group of persons contesting as independent candidates...
Source: Constitution, Art. 99 (3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct c . Indirect
Comments: The law provides for state financial assistance to registered political parties that have polled at least one per cent of the valid votes in an electoral district in the previous elections.
The election law provides for two of the state broadcasters to allocate airtime to political parties. The time-slots outlined are 30, 60 and 90 minutes over the campaign period, depending on the party's number of candidates
Source: Final Report of the EU Observation Mission to Sri Lanka's August 17 2015 Parliamentary Elections
Verified: 2016/02/04
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
a . Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance b . Based on result of previous election
Comments: a) Applies to free broadcast time;
b) The grant shall be paid to any recognized political party in respect of an electoral district, if the party;
- has polled not less than one percent of the total number of valid votes at the previous General Elections; and
- has submitted a nomination paper in respect of that district at the General Eleciton in respect of which such grant is payable.
Source: Parliamentary Election Act (No.1 1981), Art. 127(3), 126
Verified: 2016/02/04
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Parliamentary Election Act (No.1 1981)
Verified: 2016/02/04
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
c . Special counting centres
Comments: Counting was conducted in a transparent, well-organised and fast manner in the counting centres/stations observed by EU EOM observers in the presence of representatives of political parties and independent groups and domestic observers.
Source: EU Observers Final Report on the Sri Lanka 17 August 2015 Parliamentary elections: http://www.eueom.eu/files/pressreleases/english/EUEOM_SriLanka_FinalReport_20151017.pdf
Verified: 2016/02/09
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request
Comments: A recount shall be made upon the application of a counting agent. The number of recounts should not exceed two.
Source: Parliamentary Elections Act (No.1 1981), Art. 53 (8)
Verified: 2016/02/09
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
g . Other (specify)
Comments: In the allocation of broadcasting time to any recognized political party or independent group which makes an application in that behalf, the Director-General of Broadcasting shall ensure that each party or group shall be permitted to use
(a) in the case of radio broadcasting, a total period not exceeding forty-five minutes which may be used on one occasion or on not more than three occasions and each such occasion shall not exceed fifteen minutes ;
(b) in the case of television broadcasting, a total period not exceeding forty-five minutes which may be used on one occasion or on not more than three occasions and each such occasion shall not exceed fifteen minutes.
The order in which each recognized political party or independent group shall use the broadcasting facilities shall be determined
(a) in the first instance by agreement among such parties and groups ; or
(b) in the absence of such agreement by lots cast or drawn in such manner as the Director-General of Broadcasting may, in his absolute discretion, determine
Source: Parliamentary Election Act (No.1 1981), Art. 126
Verified: 2012/06/14
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
a . Yes, in presidential elections b . Yes, in legislative elections
Comments: Where two or more recognized political parties or independent groups agree to debate any matter of national importance, it shall be the duty of the Director-General of Broadcasting to afford broadcasting facilities to such parties or groups, so however that the time permitted for such de bate shall not exceed the time allotted to each such party or group.
Source: Parliamentary Election Act (No.1 1981), Art. 126 (3);
Commonwealth election observer group: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/shared_asp_files/uploadedfiles/AC871F4B-5A17-4A57-AA39-31045BD21C61_SRILANKAPRESIDENTIALELECTION17NOVEMBER2005-REPORTOFTHECOMMONWEALTHEXPERTTEAM.pdf
Verified: 2012/06/14
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
g . No information available
Comments: The Commonwealth election observation team noted the extensive publication of opinion surveys during the campaign, and indeed on polling day itself.
Source: Commonwealth election observer group:
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/shared_asp_files/uploadedfiles/AC871F4B-5A17-4A57-AA39-31045BD21C61_SRILANKAPRESIDENTIALELECTION17NOVEMBER2005-REPORTOFTHECOMMONWEALTHEXPERTTEAM.pdf
Verified: 2012/06/14
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: There is no limitation.
Source: Parliamentary Elections Act (No.1 1981)
Verified: 2012/06/14
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 83, 85, 86: http://www.parliament.lk/constitution/constitution.jsp (2012);
The Referendum Act of 1981: http://www.commonlii.org/lk/legis/num_act/ra7o1981166/index.html (2012)
Verified: 2016/02/15
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 83, 85: http://www.parliament.lk/constitution/constitution.jsp (2012);
The Referendum Act of 1981: http://www.commonlii.org/lk/legis/num_act/ra7o1981166/index.html (2012)
Verified: 2016/02/15
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The President may submit to the People by Referendum any matter which in the opinion of the President is of national importance.
Source: Constitution, Art. 86: http://www.parliament.lk/constitution/constitution.jsp (2012);
The Referendum Act of 1981: http://www.commonlii.org/lk/legis/num_act/ra7o1981166/index.html (2012)
Verified: 2016/02/15
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://www.parliament.lk/constitution/constitution.jsp (2012);
Official Website of the Department of Elections: http://www.slelections.gov.lk/ep.html (2012)
Verified: 2016/02/15
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://www.parliament.lk/constitution/constitution.jsp (2012);
Official Website of the Department of Elections: http://www.slelections.gov.lk/ep.html (2012)
Verified: 2016/02/15
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://www.parliament.lk/constitution/constitution.jsp (2012);
Official Website of the Department of Elections: http://www.slelections.gov.lk/ep.html (2012)
Verified: 2016/02/15
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 83, 85, 86: http://www.parliament.lk/constitution/constitution.jsp (2012);
The Referendum Act of 1981: http://www.commonlii.org/lk/legis/num_act/ra7o1981166/index.html (2012)
Verified: 2016/02/15
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 83, 85, 86: http://www.parliament.lk/constitution/constitution.jsp (2012);
The Referendum Act of 1981: http://www.commonlii.org/lk/legis/num_act/ra7o1981166/index.html (2012)
Verified: 2016/02/15
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2016/02/15
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections d . At specially designated polling stations
Comments: a.) In order to administer the conduct of elections each of the 22 electoral districts on Sri Lanka are subdivided into a number of polling divisions. Each polling division has a number of polling stations for the conduct of poll. There were 9981 polling station during December 2001 parliamentary elections.
d.) There are also specially designated polling stations for voters from uncleared areas (war areas). They are know as cluster polling stations. There is also a provision for voters displaced due to conflict.
Source: Parliament Elections Act of 1981, Art. 35 (1), 26, 45: https://cmev.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/presidential_election_act.pdf
Verified: 2016/02/04
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
a . Outside the country voting is not permitted
Comments: There are no statutory provisions to cover the above categories.
Source: EU Final Observation Report of Sri Lanka's August 17 2015 Parliamentary Elections: http://www.eueom.eu/files/pressreleases/english/EUEOM_SriLanka_FinalReport_20151017.pdf
Verified: 2016/02/04
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: There are no legislative provisions in this regard.
Source: EU Final Observation Report of Sri Lanka's August 17 2015 Parliamentary Elections: http://www.eueom.eu/files/pressreleases/english/EUEOM_SriLanka_FinalReport_20151017.pdf
Verified: 2016/02/04
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 99: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LK/sri-lanka-constitution-as-amended-up-to-9/at_download/file
Verified: 2016/02/04
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