Tamil common candidate secures over 200,000 votes but turnout remains low

by admin
Sep 22, 2024

Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanenthiran, who was put forward as the “Tamil common candidate” in Sri Lanka’s presidential elections secured over 200,000 votes across the North-East Tamil voter turnout remained low amidst apathy towards the polls and a boycott campaign.

His strongest showing was in Jaffna, where he secured 116,688 votes and finished second in the district.

Final figures are still awaited but reported voter turnouts in the North-East still lagged behind the rest of the island.

Ariyanenthiran, who had previously served as a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP for Batticaloa between 2004 and 2015, launched his campaign, not with hopes of wining the polls, but of sending a message to the international community regarding Tamil aspirations on the island.

Speaking with the Tamil Guardian, he maintained that a vote for him was a “vote for liberation”. He further stated Tamils voting for him would be “making it clear that the Tamil national issue remains unresolved and must be addressed.”

Commenting on the need for a common candidate he stated, “After being repeatedly deceived by successive [Sinhala] presidents, it is time to reflect on these issues. This is why Tamils have decided to field a common candidate”.

Read our full interview here: ‘A vote for liberation’ - Ariyanenthiran tells Tamil Guardian why a Tamil common candidate is vital

 

 

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