President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has cast his vote in the 2023 presidential election. The voting process took place at the polling station for his constituency located in Jamaaluddin School.
So far, all candidates except independent candidate Umar Naseer, have cast their vote. The candidates running in the presidential election include President Solih, the candidate of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), and Mayor of Male' City Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the candidate of People's National Congress (PNC). They also include the Leader of the Jumhooree Party (JP) Qasim Ibrahim, President of the Maldives National Party (MNP) Mohamed Nazim, and Parliamentarian Ilyas Labeeb, who is the candidate of The Democrats. The independent candidates are Faris Maumoon, Umar Naseer, and Hassan Zameel.
The election marks a significant milestone as it witnesses the largest number of candidates vying for the presidency since the inception of the multi-party system. As such, eight candidates are contesting the presidential election, including five candidates from parties and three independent candidates.
A total of 574 ballot boxes have been set up in the Maldives and five other countries for this year's presidential election. The eligible voting population for the presidential election is 282,395, including over 27,000 new voters. Polling stations are also open in 65 resorts and five prisons.
Polling stations opened in Male' and the atolls at 0800hrs and will close at 1600hrs if there are no more voters left in the queue, and officials will begin counting the ballots 30 minutes after closing the polling stations.