The Elections Commission (EC) has disclosed that a total of MVR 84.6 million was spent on the 2023 Presidential Election.

EC disclosed that MVR 63.1 million was spent during the first round of the 2023 Presidential Election. As such, the commission noted that in line with the total number of eligible voters during the first round of the election, MVR 223 was spent on each voter.

The first round of the 2023 Presidential Election was held on 09 September 2023.

A total of 282,395 individuals were eligible to vote in the presidential polls.

A total of 574 polling stations were placed for the election, and vote boxes were stationed across five countries abroad including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, India, the United Kingdom and Abu Dhabi.

Eight candidates competed in the electoral race, including five from major political parties and three independent candidates. Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed 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) and independent candidates Ahmed Faris Maumoon, Umar Naseer and Hassan Zameel took part in the first round of the election.

There have never been more contenders vying for president in the history of the nation.

Candidate of MDP, former president Solih and candidate of PNC Dr. Muizzu travelled to the second round after an intense first round, according to results.

The results showed that, Dr. Muizzu was in the lead with 45.6 percent of the votes, with Solih following closely at second with 39.71 percent.

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

The second round of the Presidential Election was held on 30 September 2023.

EC stated that MVR 21.6 million was spent during the second round. In line with the total number of eligible voters during the second round of the election, MVR 76.42 was spent on each voter.

A total of 282,804 were eligible to vote in the second round of the presidential election and official results shows that 246,915 people voted in the election.

Presidential candidate of PNC Dr. Mohamed Muizzu secured 52.24 percent votes with 127,927 votes and MDP's candiate, Solih secured 44.62 percent votes with 109,261 votes.

Elections Commission set up a total of 586 ballot boxes for the second round of the election.