The Elections Commission has announced that the two candidates contesting in the second round of the 2023 presidential election will have the same candidate numbers as in the first round.

This was revealed by the Vice President of the commission, Ismail Habeeb.

With a total of 282,395 eligible voters, polling kicked off at 8am on Saturday and queues closed by 4pm.

The Maldivian leader, who is aspiring to be re-elected for a second term and endorsed by the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and candidate of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Dr. Muizzu progressed to the second round after an intense first round, according to results.

According to interim results, candidate number 4, Dr. Muizzu is in the lead with 45.6 percent of the votes, with candidate number 3, President Solih following closely following at second place with 39.71 percent.

Ilyas Labeeb from The Democrats got 6.97 percent of the votes, independent candidate Umar Naseer got 2.83 percent, Jumhooree Party’s candidate business tycoon Gasim Ibrahim got 2.57 percent, independent candidate Faris Maumoon got 1.36 percent, candidate of Maldives National Party (MNP) Mohamed Nazim got 0.82 percent and independent candidate Hassan Zameel trailing far behind with just 0.15 percent of the votes.

The second round of the presidential polls will take place on September 30.

Unlike previous years, only about 75 percent of eligible voters exercised their right to vote in this year's election, making it the lowest turnout in the country’s history.