Elections Commission of the Maldives has extended the voting period until 1900hrs. The decision was made to ensure as many voters practice their right to vote in deciding the president for the next five years, according to the Elections Commission.
In an interview to PSM News, Spokesperson of Elections Commission Ahmed Akram stated the decision was also made due to long queues for voting in polling stations. Ahmed Akram urged all voters to carry a valid identification card when arriving at polling stations.
Elections Commission has placed 472 ballot boxes, for 262,135 persons eligible to vote in the election. 302 ballot boxes have been placed in the islands and cities, 122 in the capital City Malé, 35 in resort islands, 1 box each in 4 jails, and one each in 2 airports and 2 industrial islands.
The two candidates contesting in the upcoming presidential election are incumbent President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom bidding for a second five-year term, while the main opposition party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has granted the presidential ticket to Parliamentarian Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as its presidential candidate.
This is the third Presidential election held in the Maldives, following the adoption of the 2008 Constitution, which paved the way for multi-party democracy in the Maldives. The President and Vice-President, elected today, will be sworn in on November 17, 2018.