Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka · 2023 Revised Edition · Chapter XIV · The Franchise and Elections
94. Election of the President
Unofficial copy, with amendments up to 31 Oct 2022. Later amendments are not included. Check the official text before you rely on it.
Unofficial copyFrom Parliament of Sri Lanka, unchanged
At the election of the President every voter while casting his vote for any candidate may -
where there are three candidates for election, specify his second preference; and
where there are more than three candidates for election, specify his second and third preferences.
The candidate, if any, who receives more than one-half of the valid votes cast shall be declared elected as
President.
Where no candidate is declared elected under paragraph (2) of this Article, the candidate or candidates, other than the candidates who received the highest and second highest number of such votes, shall be eliminated from the contest, and –
the second preference of each voter whose vote had been for a candidate eliminated from the contest, shall, if it is for one or the other of the remaining two candidates, be counted as a vote for such candidate and be added to the votes counted in his favour under paragraph (2); and
the third preference of each voter referred to in sub-paragraph (a) whose second preference is not counted under that sub-paragraph shall, if it is for one or the other of the remaining two candidates, be counted as a vote for such candidate and be added to the votes counted in his favour under sub-paragraph (a) and paragraph (2), and the candidate who receives the majority of the votes so counted shall be declared elected as President.
Where an equality is found to exist between the votes received by two or more candidates and the addition of one vote would determine –
which candidate is to be declared elected under this Article; or
which candidate is not to be eliminated under this Article, then the determination of the candidate to whom such additional vote shall be deemed to have been given for the purpose of such determination shall be made by lot.
Chapter XIVA
Election Commission
Chapter XV
The Judiciary
Chapter XVA
Judicial Service Commission
Chapter XVI
The Superior Courts
Chapter XVII
Finance
Chapter XVIIA
146[CHAPTER XVII a
Chapter XVIII
Public Security
Chapter XVIIIA
National Police Commission
Chapter XIX
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
Chapter XIXA
Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption
Chapter XIXB
National Procurement Commission
Chapter XX
General
Chapter XXI
Transitional Provisions
Chapter XXII
Interpretation
Chapter XXIII
Repeal
Chapter XXIV