Voting in the presidential primary election of the main party of the ruling coalition, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has commenced.

MDP’s leader, Former President and current Speaker of the People’s Majlis Mohamed Nasheed and incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih are competing in the MDP primary.

Voting at the polling stations will proceed until 5pm, Saturday.

A total of 57,255 members of the main ruling party are eligible to cast their ballots in the MDP primary.

According to the party, a total of 243 ballot boxes have been placed across the country for the primary election.

These include 49 in the capital Malé City, one in its suburban extension Hulhumalé and one in Villimalé.

194 ballot boxes have been stationed across outlying atolls.

According to the party, the ballot boxes in the capital have been placed at CHSE, Aminiyya School, the Maldives National University (MNU) main campus, Iskandar School, Hiriyaa School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Imaduddin School, Maafannu Madharusa, Izzuddin School, Thaajuddin School, Kalaafaanu School, Jamaaluddin School, Muhiyuddin School and Rehendhi School.