Oct 16, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s National Election Commission anticipates the highest ever voter turnout in the country’s presidential election history with the upcoming polls scheduled to be held on 16 November 2019.
Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya told reporters Wednesday that the commission is expecting a voter turnout close to 85 percent at the 8th presidential election.
“The average voter turnout for Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha election was close to 79 percent with some wards showing over 80 percent turnout,” Deshapriya said.
“We hope the average turnout to be over 80 percent at the presidential election and there is a possibility of reaching that value close to 85 percent.
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At the 2015 presidential election, the turnout was 81.52 percent, the highest for a Sri Lankan presidential election and significantly more than the 2010 presidential election.
Maithripala Sirisena was declared the winner after receiving 51.28 percent of all votes cast compared to Mahinda Rajapaksa's 47.58 percent.