News Today: 2025 Sri Lanka LG Elections voting begins

Voting for the 2025 Sri Lanka LG Elections officially began today across 339 Local Government (LG) institutions, marking a significant moment in the nation’s democratic process. Polling commenced at 7:00 am and will continue until 4:00 pm at 13,759 polling centres spread across the country.

This year’s elections cover 28 Municipal Councils, 36 Urban Councils, and 275 Pradeshiya Sabhas. A total of 17,156,338 eligible voters are set to cast their ballots to elect 8,287 members, excluding representatives for Kalmunai Urban Council and Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha.

The 2025 Sri Lanka Local Government Elections voting begins under the mixed proportional representation system, which combines direct and proportional representation. As per the Pradeshiya Sabha Amendment Act No. 22 of 2017, 60% of the members are elected at the divisional level and 40% through a proportional basis. The system utilizes two types of divisions—single wards and multi-member wards.

A total of 75,589 candidates are contesting in this election, representing 49 recognised political parties and 257 independent groups. Each voter will receive one ballot paper, listing only the names and symbols of political parties and independent groups. Independent groups will be labelled with the phrase “Independent Group” alongside a number and a symbol.

To ensure the validity of each vote, voters must mark only one cross on the ballot paper. Any additional markings, writing, or drawings will render the ballot invalid.