The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has stated that polling stations with over 500 registered voters will have two ballot boxes. ECM is currently evaluating the 47,000 re-registration forms for the second round of the presidential election on September 30.
Speaking to PSM News, Vice President of ECM Ismail Habeeb said that changes to the number of ballot boxes at polling stations are expected after the forms are evaluated. As such, he said that an additional ballot box will be placed at polling stations with over 500 registered voters in order to prevent long queues.
Additionally, Habeeb noted the limited space in some polling stations for the first round of the election and said that some locations will be changed for the second round. The changes are expected to ease the convenience of voters.
ECM has also begun a refresher training course for officials in order, to focus on solving the issues faced during the first round of the election. The officials are being instructed on maintaining queues at polling stations, designating invalid ballots, and other important matters.
The second round of the presidential election is scheduled to be held on September 30 after none of the candidates received 50% of the votes to win in the first round. The two candidates who moved on to the second round are Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the candidate of the opposition People's National Congress (PNC), and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the candidate of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).