The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has decided to establish 608 polling stations for the upcoming parliamentary election.
The decision follows an earlier announcement by ECM indicating a planned increase in polling stations to facilitate the voting process during the overlap with the month of Ramadan. Each polling station is designed to accommodate a maximum of 600 voters.
The distribution of polling stations include a total of 608 across the Maldives, with 240 situated in the Greater Male' Region. In Male' City, there will be 181 polling stations, while Hulhumale' and Villimale' will have 50 and nine stations, respectively. The atolls in the country will have 319 polling stations, with an additional six stations set up in six foreign countries, 37 in resorts, five in prisons, and one in an industrial site. The foreign countries where ballot boxes will be placed include Trivandrum in India, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, London in the United Kingdom (UK), Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bangkok in Thailand.
ECM has chosen to station polling stations in foreign countries and resorts, though the actual number may be subject to change after the re-registration deadline. Ballot boxes will be placed in resorts if at least 30 individuals re-register to vote, and in foreign countries if at least 150 individuals are registered to vote.
An opportunity for re-registration has been opened by ECM, with online re-registration available until 1600hrs on February 7. Individuals seeking to register in a location different from their island registered in the second round of the presidential election may apply during this period. Individuals initially registered in resorts, industrial sites, abroad, and prisons will now be registered to their permanent addresses.
ECM is also accepting applications for individuals interested in becoming observers and monitors for the parliamentary election until 1500hrs on February 19. Monitors may include individuals working in television, radio, newspapers, and magazines.
To facilitate the reporting of concerns related to the parliamentary election, ECM has established a National Complaints Bureau at the Dharubaaruge convention centre, the main ECM headquarters. The bureau is open from 0900 to 1500hrs daily, excluding Fridays, and from 1400 to 1700hrs specifically on Fridays. During Ramadan, the bureau will operate every day except Fridays from 1000 to 1300hrs and on Fridays from 1400 to 1600hrs.
The parliamentary election is scheduled for March 17, with a total of 284,327 eligible voters.