| Polling divisions of Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|
 Electoral districts and polling divisions of Sri Lanka | |
| Category | Electoral districts |
| Location | Sri Lanka |
| Created by | 1978 Constitution |
| Created |
|
| Number | 160 (as of 2024) |
| Government | |
| This article is part of a series on the |
| Politics of Sri Lanka |
|---|
 |
|
|
Polling divisions in Sri Lanka are subdivisions of the country's electoral districts. From the 1st parliamentary election in 1947 to the 8th in 1977, members were elected to the parliament using a first-past-the-post system from these polling divisions. This system changed in 1978.[1]
The 1978 Constitution introduced a proportional representation electoral system, electing Members of Parliament from 22 multi-member electoral districts.[2][3]
All but two electoral districts correspond to their respective administrative districts. The exceptions are Jaffna, covering both Jaffna District and Kilinochchi District, and Vanni, covering Mannar District, Mullaitivu District, and Vavuniya District. The first general election under this system was the 1989 election.
Polling divisions are still maintained for declaring election results, and for administrative purposes to facilitate the management and organisation of electoral processes.[4]
- ^ Rafi, Talal (17 May 2018). "A look at British politics: Should Sri Lanka revert to First Past the Post system?". Daily FT. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "The Constitution of the D. S. R. of Sri Lanka" (PDF). The Parliament of Sri Lanka. 30 March 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ "The Electoral System". The Parliament of Sri Lanka. 14 December 2012. Archived from the original on 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Notice on the division of an electoral district into polling divisions and the sub division of a polling division into polling districts in terms of Section 9(3) of the Registration of Electors Act, No 44 of 1980". Election Commission of Sri Lanka. 2024. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.