September 10, which falls on a Sunday, has been declared a government holiday.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih declared September 10 as a government holiday through an official statement publicized by the President’s Office on Sunday.

The decision comes as polling for the 2023 presidential election is slated for the day before, September 9 which falls on a Saturday.

The day was declared a holiday as officials from government offices and state institutions as well as the general public are expected to be engaged with tasks and other work related to the voting process and election.

The decision was reached following a request by the Elections Commission of the Maldives.

The commission on August 31, began sending the materials required for the polls, to outlying atolls through commission officials with the assistance of Maldives Police Service (MPS).

Materials have been transported to all of the atolls except for Malé atoll, for which materials will be sent on September 4 according to EC.

In addition to this, officers of the police institution in charge of maintaining security during the voting process, began departing for islands on August 30.

Candidates competing in the fast-approaching presidential election had completed the signing process for the final list of eligible voters by August 27.

The Elections Commission earlier disclosed that they received a total of 9,887 applications from the Maldives including with 4,545 monitors, 3,607 observers, 1,735 delegates on behalf of candidates, to observe the presidential election.

The commission revealed that a total of 282,395 individuals are eligible to vote in the September polls.

A total of 574 polling stations will be placed for the September polls including 176 in the capital Greater Malé Region, 384 in cities and atolls outside of the capital, six in industrial establishments and prison complexes as well as eight abroad. Vote boxes will be stationed across five countries abroad including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, India, the United Kingdom and Abu Dhabi.

Two polling stations will be present in Sri Lanka, three in Malaysia and one each in India, Abu Dhabi and the UK.

This year’s presidential election, slated for September 9, will see eight candidates competing, including five from major political parties and three independent candidates.

Running for presidency this year are the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih aspiring to be re-elected for a second term, candidate of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Ilyas Labeeb from The Democrats, Jumhooree Party’s Gasim Ibrahim and Mohamed Nazim running through Maldives National Party (MNP).

The independent candidates vying for presidency are Ahmed Faris Maumoon, Umar Naseer and Hassan Zameel.