TISL Welcomes Drop in Election Violations, Urges President to Uphold Democratic Norms

Colombo LankaXpress – Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has welcomed the noticeable decline in election law violations during the current local government election period, citing recent reports and press releases from the Election Commission. The organization commended this development as a positive step towards enhancing Sri Lanka’s democratic practices, crediting the collective efforts of political actors, election officials, and citizens.

However, TISL also expressed concern over ongoing violations, including incidents of vote-buying through goods distribution, election-related violence, and the misuse of public resources. While these issues have reportedly decreased compared to past national elections, their continued presence poses a threat to democratic integrity and public trust in the electoral process.

The organization further criticized recent remarks made by the President, which implied preferential treatment for local government areas likely to favor the ruling party. TISL stated that such comments could unduly influence voter behavior and undermine the principles of free and fair elections, warning that this could foster a culture of patronage and weaken governance standards.

With just one week remaining in the election period, TISL urged all political parties, candidates, and state institutions to reaffirm their commitment to electoral integrity. It emphasized the importance of addressing violations promptly to preserve the credibility of the outcome and protect democratic values.