Election observation organizations report that more than 50 politicians have withdrawn from the upcoming general election.

Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of PAFFREL, highlighted the critical nature of this year's election amid these unprecedented changes. Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director of the Institute of Democratic Reforms and Election Studies, confirmed that this level of withdrawal is unusual for an election cycle. The implications of these withdrawals on the electoral process remain to be seen as candidates prepare for the polls.