How did NPP win?
After the completion of voting in Sri Lankan parliamentary elections on Thursday, counting of votes started and the results so far have surprised everyone. President Anura Kumar Dissanayake’s party National People’s Power (NPP) has registered a landslide victory. According to early trends, the NPP has got almost 70 percent of the votes, which is an unprecedented performance. While the main opposition parties Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and National Democratic Front (NDF) supported by Ranil Wickremesinghe have got 11 and 5 percent votes respectively. Thus, Dissanayake’s party not only captured the majority of seats, but also gained a clear majority in Parliament.
Election results: key figures
According to the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, the NPP has won 123 out of 225 seats in the Sri Lankan Parliament, which is considered a major political victory for them. With this victory, the Marxist party under the leadership of President Dissanayake has got the majority in the Parliament, and this could prove to be a turning point for them.
At the same time, Premadasa’s ally Jana Balavegaya stood second with 31 seats. This result has posed a big challenge for the opposition parties, as it may now be easier for the NPP to implement its policies and reinvigorate the country’s economy.
Tragic incidents in the electoral process
While on one hand there was excitement in the elections, on the other hand some tragic incidents also took place. The death of three officers posted on election duty plunged the electoral process into deep mourning. These included a senior election officer and a police officer. This accident happened on Wednesday night, when the health of the three officers deteriorated and they lost their lives. The incident is also a reminder to officials on election duty about how important it is to take care of safety and health facilities during elections.
NPP’s landslide victory in Polonnaruwa and Matara districts
NPP performed brilliantly in many districts of Sri Lanka. In Polonnaruwa district the NPP won four out of five seats. The party received a total of 159,010 votes, while Samagi Jana Balavegaya won one seat. Also in Matara District, NPP won six out of six seats, and Samagi Jana Balawegaya won one seat. Thus, NPP has proved its strong hold on these regional seats and it has become a symbol of their political strength.
Impact of election results on Sri Lankan politics
The 2024 Sri Lankan elections have not only changed the political structure of the country’s parliament, but are also likely to impact the country’s economic condition. Sri Lanka is currently facing a serious economic crisis, and with the victory of the NPP it is hoped that the economic condition of Sri Lanka can improve under the leadership of the party. President Dissanayake’s party had announced several reform plans ahead of the elections, promising to curb corruption and take steps towards poverty alleviation.
Effect of nepotism in Sri Lankan politics
Politics in Sri Lanka has always been influenced by nepotism, but now President Dissanayake has claimed to show a new direction. The rise of NPP under his leadership is, in a way, challenging the traditional dynastic politics. Although Dissanayake is not considered a seasoned player in politics, he has pledged to implement several schemes for poverty alleviation in his working life. It will be interesting to see whether his government will be able to bring real change in the country or not.
Impact of election results on the future
The results of the Sri Lankan parliamentary elections can have a deep impact on Sri Lankan politics and society not only in the present but also in the future. Now, the NPP has an absolute majority, and this is an opportunity for the party to implement its policies effectively. However, opposition parties may also get an opportunity to reexamine their strategies and challenge the NPP government in future.
The 2024 Sri Lankan parliamentary elections proved that a new wave of change has arrived in the country. The landslide victory of President Dissanayake’s party has given him a strong political platform through which he will attempt to address Sri Lanka’s economic and social crises. However, only time will tell how successful they are, but for now, the people of Sri Lanka are looking towards the future with a new hope.
