Transparency Maldives has revealed that polling stations were set up to ensure ballot secrecy, across 96 percent of polling booths, in the ongoing parliamentary elections 2024.

This was revealed by Transparency Maldives in a statement publicized on its findings regarding the election process.

As such, TM revealed that they are observing today’s polls with an observer network around the country spanning across Malé, outlying atolls, prison facilities, as well as abroad in Colombo, Sri Lanka and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

TM expressed gratitude to the nearly 270 observers and volunteers deployed across 205 booths across the Maldives as well as abroad, for their dedication in observing and assisting in the election observation processes.

TM is assessing both the election day proceedings and have monitored the larger electoral and political environment during the pre-election period, in observing the polls.

The results they have reported from their observation are generalizable to the entire country.

TM revealed that the opening of the polls was smooth and the administrative preparation went well, adding that 89.3 percent of polling booths opened by 08:10am and all polling stations were opened before 9am.

Further, nearly all polling station officials were in place at all polling stations and the materials required for voting were present and the ballot papers were counted at all the polling stations.

TM went on to reveal that 99 percent of ballot boxes were verified as empty at the opening of the polls.

Highlighting that candidate representatives and party observers were well represented across all polling booths, with one or more observers present at 93.7 percent of polling booths, TM revealed that officers of Maldives Police Service (MPS) were stationed outside of 95 percent of the observed polling stations at the time they opened.

In addition to this, polling stations were set up to ensure ballot secrecy in 96 percent of polling stations.

TM revealed that their observers will be closely monitoring the four percent of the polling station where the secrecy of the ballot may be compromised due to the layout of the polling station.

The public has been encouraged to maintain the climate of peace and go out and cast their ballots as soon as possible.

TM revealed that their observers are working hard at polling stations and will be present at the polling stations until the polls are closed and the results are announced.