Every vote is a testimony cast on the integrity and competence of the person to whom that vote is given, Mohamed Shakeel, the president of the Elections Commission of Maldives, stated in a message shared for National Voters’ Day.
Observing that Maldivians constitute a 100 per cent Muslim nation guided by Islamic principles, Shakeel described the ballot as a sacred trust, advising citizens to maintain honesty, sincerity, and fear of Almighty Allah (SWT) when exercising their franchise. Ballots cast for national leadership, the Parliament, and local councils determine choices that directly or indirectly shape national development, legal equality, and institutional stability, the president of the electoral body underscored.
The Maldives observes National Voters’ Day annually on 25 August, marked this year under the slogan, "Voting is a right and a responsibility". Established in 2015 following a decision during International Democracy Day ceremonies, the observance is designed to educate citizens on democratic and electoral systems, broaden public participation, and foster trust in voters’ rights through awareness initiatives organised by the commission.