Polling stations have closed at 1600hrs, after which officials stopped allowing people to enter queues. Around 59% of eligible voters have cast their ballot in the presidential election, which are 164,981 voters, as per current statistics.
Polling stations opened in Male' and the atolls at 0800hrs and were scheduled to close at 1600hrs. Officials began counting the ballots 30 minutes after closing the polling stations.
A total of 574 ballot boxes were set up in the Maldives and five other countries for this year's presidential election. Polling stations were also open in 65 resorts and five prisons. The eligible voting population for the presidential election was 282,395, including over 27,000 new voters.
Over 5,000 election officials were active during the election, along with 1,700 observers and monitors, including 165 international monitors and observers. Police officers, equipped with body-worn cameras, were active at all polling stations in order to maintain security and guarantee the rights of voters as part of Operation Blue Wave. The Maldives Police Service (MPS) stated that officers were on the highest level of alert during the presidential election.
Additionally, ECM stated that the presidential election went smoothly. At a press conference, Vice President of ECM Ismail Habeeb said that additional officials were transferred to polling stations where voters complained of long queues. He also noted several other complaints, including a case of procedural misconduct at the polling station in Rasdhoo, Alifu Alifu Atoll, which led to the dismissal and replacement of two officials. He added that another complaint regarding a voter taking photos inside the polling station in Thulhaadhoo, Baa Atoll, has also been investigated.
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 contested the presidential election, including five candidates from parties and three independent candidates.
The candidates in the presidential election include President Ibrahim Mohamed 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.