A total of 255 individuals have applied to re-register to vote at locations other than those in which they were originally registered, ahead of a public referendum on the restructuring of the Addu City Council, according to the Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM). The commission described the figures as a clear indication of public engagement.
The referendum, scheduled for Saturday, 25 October, will determine whether structural changes should be made to the council’s composition. Voting will take place across the islands of Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo, and Feydhoo in Addu Atoll. The ECM is nearing completion of its preparations for the vote.
The commission reported that, of the 255 individuals who submitted applications to re-register, 248 re-registrations have already been processed. ECM President Mohamed Zahid described the figures as a clear indication of public engagement.
“I maintain that the enthusiasm, in itself, is positive. That is to say, we are observing a noticeable level of public interest, which demonstrates to us the extent of the residents' eagerness to participate in the vote and this critical decision affecting the three islands,” Zahid said during an appearance on PSM News’ 'Raajje Miadhu' programme.
Ballot box deployment has been confirmed, with 18 boxes to be used across designated locations. Zahid noted that the number and placement of these boxes were determined based on logistical arrangements used during the most recent parliamentary elections.
Voting arrangements in the Malé region will differ from previous elections. This time, all voting in the capital will be centralised at Kalaafaanu School, where seven ballot boxes will be stationed. Across Addu City, the remaining boxes will be distributed as follows: five in Feydhoo, three in Hulhudhoo, and three in Meedhoo.
Administrative preparations are entering their final phase. Zahid stated that the commission is currently focused on printing ballot papers and assembling the contents of the boxes designated for dispatch to the atoll. “Effectively, nearly all work required for this level of preparation has been completed,” he said. “We anticipate that, within the coming two days, this work will be fully concluded, and all remaining administrative arrangements will be finalised.”
The referendum will follow the procedural framework of national elections. Polling is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Oversight measures have also been established. A total of 78 parties have registered to serve as monitors, while 57 parties will participate as observers.
Once polling concludes, counting will begin after a 30-minute interval. Preliminary results will be announced immediately at the polling centres, with the ECM scheduled to release the final results on Sunday.