More than 8,000 applications received for monitors and observers of Presidential Election

The Elections Commission has disclosed that they have received more than 8,000 applications for monitors and observers of the 2023 Presidential Election.

EC opened registration for those who wish to monitor and observe the voting and vote counting of the upcoming election on 19 July 2023. The deadline was initially set at 03:00 pm on 13 August, 2023. However, the election extended the registration period to 03:00 pm on 15 August, 2023.

Vice President of the commission, Ismail Habeeb disclosed that a total of 8,152 applications were submitted to the commission or monitors and observers of the 2023 Presidential Election. As such, he noted that 4,545 applications were submitted by Maldivian medias for monitors and 3,607 applications were submitted by political parties, civil societies and independent candidates for the position of observers.

Habeeb noted that confirmation and accreditation of applications are underway.

He went onto say that having around 14 observers and monitors at every polling station, is a great encouragement and satisfaction to conduct the elections within the framework of law and order.

Those who proposes to act as an observer or monitor or candidate appointed representative on polling day shall meet the requirements for observers, monitors and candidate appointed representatives. As such, if they have been convicted of an electoral offense within the past five years, or if they are found guilty of violating the constitution, the Elections Commission reserves the right to refuse permission for them to act as an observer, or monitor, or as a representative of a candidate.

EC has disclosed that 2023 Presidential Election is expected to see around 150 foreign observers.

The Elections Commission of Maldives will be setting up a total of 574 ballot boxes for this year’s presidential election.

As such, the commission revealed that the initial number of 604 ballot boxes to be stationed across the Maldives and abroad, for the fast-approaching presidential polls has been reduced to 574, after the reregistration process.

According to the latest information publicized by the Elections Commission, they will be setting up 142 polling stations for voters native to the capital, Malé City and outlying atoll natives residing in the capital city.

In addition to this, 27 ballot boxes will be set up in Hulhumalé.

The commission is to set up seven ballot boxes in Villimalé.

Further, a total of 319 polling stations will be set up in outlying atolls, with the commission to establish 65 ballot boxes in resorts and five ballot boxes at Prison complexes.

One ballot box will be placed at Thilafushi.

In addition to this, a total of eight ballot boxes will be set up in five other countries.

As such, three ballot boxes will be stationed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, two in Colombo, Sri Lanka and one each in London, United Kingdom, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Trivandrum, India.

This year's Presidential Election is slated for 09 September and eight candidates have submitted their forms of candidacy. Five candidates from major political parties and three independent candidates.

A total of 282,755 people are eligible to vote in the election.