Colombo, Sep 21 (V7N) — Voting for the presidential election in Sri Lanka commenced today, marking the first election since former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ousted from power in 2022. Polls opened at 7 am local time and will close at 4 pm, with results expected to be announced on Sunday.

According to The Hindu, 39 candidates are contesting in the election, although one candidate passed away after the final list was announced. Over 1.7 million eligible voters will choose the next president to serve a five-year term.

The election is significant, as it also reflects public opinion on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) program that has been central to Sri Lanka's economic recovery. The voting process follows the country's new election law, which allows voters to select up to three candidates. A candidate must secure at least 50% of the vote to win outright, failing which a run-off will occur between the top two candidates.

Among the front-runners is the current president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took over after Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country in 2022 during a massive economic crisis and public protests. Wickremesinghe, who was elected president by parliament, has been credited with stabilizing the economy over the last two years, although Sri Lanka still faces a $46 billion foreign debt burden.

Other prominent candidates include opposition leader Sajith Premadasa from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the National People's Power (NPP). Namal Rajapaksa, representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), is also in the race, continuing his family's political legacy—his father, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and uncle, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, both served as presidents in the past.

Despite signs of economic recovery, millions of Sri Lankans continue to struggle with inflation and other hardships caused by the economic collapse that led to the 2022 protests.

END/AJ/MSS