Maldivians begin voting in high-stakes presidential election

Maldivians begin voting in the country’s third democratic elections.

Voting began at 8am on Sunday in most parts of the country, with a delay reported in Thinadhoo island of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll.

The Elections Commission reported a delay in commencing polls in Sri Lanka as preparations are still underway, but did not disclose a time when voting will be underway.

There are two individuals running in the high-stakes presidential election; incumbent President Abdulla Yameen eyeing a second term against Joint Opposition’s common candidate, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

With 262,135 eligible voters, 472 ballot boxes are to be placed across the country and abroad- two in Sri Lanka and one each in India, Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

While the provisional results are expected to come on Sunday itself, final results are to be announced a week later, on September 30th.