The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) is to recount ballots following a slight difference in number of votes for two contestants.

The decision comes after a difference in the vote count for Anara Naeem and Abdul Maniu Hussain who contested for seats in the Executive Committee of the Bar council.

The ballots will be recounted at 01:30pm.

While the decision to recount the ballots comes after a request from Maniu, the vote difference between the two is just one. Maniu falls one vote behind with 342 votes and Anara leads with 343 votes.

During the election held on Saturday, prominent Lawyer Maumoon Hameed won the seat of President of the council and Abdulla Muiz won the post of Vice President.

Those who won seats at the Executive Committee of the council include Mohamed Faisal, Ahmed Muizzu, Shujun Mohamed, Anas Abdul Sattar, Anara Naeem and Mohamed Aseel Hassan.

While the Elections Commission initially received 23 applications to contest for the Bar Council election, the commission disqualified one candidate, Ali Naseer, for not having the required experience. Following this, only 22 candidates contested in the election which proceeded from 9am to 5pm on Saturday.

Recently ratified Legal Profession Act states that the Executive Committee of the Bar Council shall consist of the President, Vice President, and six members.