President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has expressed confidence in winning the presidential election in the second round.
Speaking to journalists after casting his ballot, President Solih, the candidate of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), said that the results of the second round will largely depend on the voter turnout. He added that he is pleased with the number of people who have come out to vote and expressed hope that at least 86% of eligible voters cast their ballot. He also addressed the accusations MDP is facing on social media and said that the main ruling party will continue to conduct itself in accordance with the rules and regulations.
Polling stations opened across the Maldives at 0800hrs and will close at 1700hrs. A total of 282,804 individuals are eligible to cast their votes in the second round of the presidential election.
A second round was scheduled after none of the candidates received 50% of the votes to win in the first round of the presidential election. Around 80% of eligible voters cast their ballot in the first round, which is the lowest voter turnout in the country's history.