The Elections Commission of Maldives received 551 complaints by the deadline, on the eligible voters list for the upcoming Presidential Elections.

The commission opened the opportunity to submit complaints regarding the eligible voters’ registry, by June 22.

According to statistics publicized by EC’s Vice President Ismail Habeeb, a total of 551 complaints had been submitted by the deadline.

A majority of the complaints received on the preliminary registry, was regarding the inclusion of the names of deceased individuals. As such, 465 such complaints were received.

Further, 58 complaints were filed regarding a change of residential address, 19 complaints for missing names in the list, five complaints regarding changes in names, three complaints regarding changes in constituency and one complaint regarding a change in the national ID card.

The commission will be responding to the complaints received by the deadline, over the course of the next five days, according to Habeeb.

Further, EC revealed that individuals will have the right to take complaints to the High Court, if they are discontent with the commission’s response to their complaints.

Noting that once the final list of eligible voters is publicized, individuals will not be given the opportunity to file complaints once the stipulated time frame is reached. EC revealed that individuals who are not listed in the final registry will not be allowed to cast their votes in the September polls.

Re-registration for voting at a location outside of a person’s registered island, will be opened on July 16. The deadline for re-registration is set at August 5.

A list of 282,672 eligible voters, who will have turned 18 by September 9, has been published in the government gazette.

Speaking regarding the preparations by the authority for the Presidential Election slated for September 9, Elections Commissioner Fuad Thaufeeq stated that day-to-day complaints are being monitored to prepare the final list as soon as possible when the deadline for filing complaints expires.

He added that once the final list is publicized, it cannot be altered after that, adding that it is important to check if one's name is in the list during this period and lodge a complaint if required.

The presidential election is slated for September 9.