President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has cast his vote in the ongoing presidential election.

The Maldivian leader, who is aspiring to be re-elected for a second term and endorsed by the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), cast his vote at the ballot box stationed at Jamaluddin School for residents of Hinnavaru island of Lhaviyani atoll, his home island.

The president arrived at the polling station to cast his ballot at around 10:45am.

Speaking to press after casting his vote, a confident president noted that 90 percent of the eligible voters will come out to cast their votes this time and that the elections are going well.

Highlighting that people have been allowed to vote after a free and fair campaign, which has not been observed in a presidential race before.

He went on to note that this would be one of the most democratic elections the entire country has seen and urged the people to exercise their right to vote.

Responding to a question by one of the journalists outside the polling booth, President Solih revealed that MDP had not attempted to bribe anyone into voting.

A total of 282,395 individuals are eligible to vote in Saturday’s polls.

This year’s presidential election is seeing eight candidates competing, including five from major political parties and three independent candidates.

Running for presidency this year are the ruling party’s candidate, President Solih, 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.