Toxic Town Halls: Secret votes and dirty politics

Legislation should require independent councillors to publicly disclose their vote in mayoral selections, even if the ballot remains technically secret. This measure would enhance transparency, deter backroom deals and help put an end to the dirty political practices of the past. The ongoing debate between secret and open voting in local councils reflects broader concerns about trust, accountability, and the integrity of democratic processes in Sri Lanka. Procedural mechanisms, such as voting methods, carry significant implications for governance and public confidence. For local government to fulfil its true purpose of empowering communities rather than serving party interests, it must operate under clear, fair, and transparent rules.

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Local Council elections were held in Sri Lanka on 06 May, 2025, to elect representatives to Municipal Councils, Urban Councils, and Pradeshiya Sabhas.

These representatives serve their communities on a four-year basis. Four major political parties: NPP (133 councils), SJB (13), ITAK (37), and SLMC (5), won overall control of 188 local councils. No one questions the legitimacy of these parties appointing Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Chairpersons, and Vice-Chairpersons in the councils they control. That is how democracy is expected to function.

Under normal circumstances in “hung councils” where no single party holds more than 50% of the council seats, the party that succeeds in securing majority support from other parties, or independent members, earns the legitimacy to appoint the Leader of the Local Council. This majority is typically demonstrated through an open vote. Such a process has long been recognised as a standard democratic practice in many countries, including Sri Lanka, India, and the United Kingdom.

Yet, in a break from long standing precedent, a controversy has arisen in Sri Lanka over leadership appointments in these "hung" councils. The President and the ruling NPP contend that they have a moral right to appoint their members as Leaders and Deputy Leaders in these councils, even without securing a majority vote. They argue that being the party with the largest number of seats grants them this entitlement, despite not reaching the necessary threshold of over 50% support for their nominees.

Accusation of mistrust