Parliamentary Elections 2019

More voters queue up at polling stations, which are set to close one hour from now.

Voters at a polling station

140,900 people have voted in the parliamentary election. 46.72% of eligible voters have not yet voted.

The Elections Commission urges voters to go to the polling stations quickly or risk having to wait in long queues.

Live statistics of the 2019 parliamentary election

51.7 percent of total eligible voters have cast their ballot by 2:30pm

Transparency Maldives(TM)'s observers active at polling stations.

Noting that 99 percent of the polling stations were setup "to ensure secret vote," TM said that it will be closely monitoring the one percent "where the secrecy of ballot maybe compromised due to set up of the polling station."

It further encouraged "all parties to maintain the climate of peace and the public to to go out and vote."

At 2pm, voter turn out in the parliamentary election has reached 126,737, which is 47.9 percent of total eligible voters.

A polling station in Hoarafushi

Voting begins in the United Kingdom, at 1:30pm Maldives time.

With this, voting is underway at all polling stations, says ECM.

With 100,046 votes cast by 1pm, Elections Commissioner says "a sudden drop in turnout observed"

Over 100,000 people vote in the parliamentary election.

Three voters at the Addu City Feydhoo School polling station have been arrested for photographing ballot papers.

Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid accompanies his parents to the polling station.

A police officer assist an elderly voter at the polling station. Elderly people are exempt from waiting in queues.

Police officer assist an elderly voter in the parliamentary election 2019

National advisory committee for this year's parliamentary election holds 10th meeting.

Police have taken into custody a voter in GA. Villingili who is suspected of taking a photo of the ballot paper after voting.

Officers at a Villingili polling station

Out of 264,442 eligible voters, 90,306 people have voted in the election thus far.

Photo taken during the parliamentary election

Three complaints regardings voting rights have been submitted to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives.

The commission's tweet says that the complaints have been submitted to the National Complaints Bureau, and two of them have been addressed.

Observers from the Commonwealth are active at polling stations in capital city Malé and outlying islands.

Out of the 264,442 eligible voters, a total of 66,672 people have voted in the election thus far.

Cordinators at the Elections Center.

Locals assist an elderly man to cast his vote.

Elections Commission earlier announced that the elderly is among the people who will not have to wait in a queue to cast their votes.

Locals help elderly man to cast his vote

Maldives Police Service has revealed that two complaints regarding the ongoing ballots have been submitted.

Police will reveal further details as they unfold, they revealed.

Vice President Faisal Naseem has cast his vote.

Speaking to press after casting his vote, VP Naseem reiterated President Solih's hope that the election will proceed smoothly and safely.

He went on to thank the Elections Commission for the well-organized election and thanked the people for their cooperation in ensuring the election goes smoothly.

VP Naseem was an MP for Kaashidhoo constituency.

VP Naseem casts vote.

VP Naseem casts vote.

Former President and government coalition leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has cast his vote.

He is a constituent of north-Mahchangoalhi.

Former President Gayoom casts his vote. Photo by RaajjeMV

Elections Commission has revealed the polling status thus far.

While 26,513 males have voted thus far, ECM revealed that 16,561 females have voted thus far. the total number of individuals who have voted so far reach 43,074

Voting proceeds smoothly in Maduvvari island of Raa atoll.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has cast his vote in the Hinnavaru constituency.

President Solih casts his vote at Jamaaluddin School.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has arrived at his respective polling station at Jamaaluddin School, Malé.

Speaking to press at the polling station, President Solih had urged as many people to come out and vote for the 19th Parliament.

He noted that voting is proceeding with complete peace and security.

President Solih is casting his vote for Hinnavaru constituency for which three candidates are contesting.

President Solih arrives at polling station in Jamaaluddin School.

Over 1,200 officers are active in maintaining safety and security throughout the Operation Blue Tide across the nation on election day.

Voting has commenced in neighboring India's Trivandrum at 8:30 (Indian time).

Maldives consulate in Trivandrum revealed that the ballot box will remain open until 4:30 pm as scheduled.

Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has stated that over 500 officers are active in ensuring safety and security is maintained throughout the election day and post-election.

First Lady Fazna Ahmed has cast her vote to the west-Maafannu ballot box.

First Lady casts her vote. Photo by RaajjeMV

Former President Mohamed Nasheed

Members of the Elections Commission are actively visiting polling stations in the capital city to monitor the vote procedure.

Commissioner Shareef and members joined to observe the process in Iskandar School. Shareef told RaajjeMV that although some queues are longer, voting is proceeding swiftly and that he hopes this elections will proceed as smoothly and safely as the Presidential Elections of 2018.

While the only location in which voting is yet to begin is Thilafushi, ECM revealed that they will be holding a briefing session regarding the electoral procedure at 9am.

While voting is underway across the country, except at one polling station, no "major" issues reported so far, says Maldives Police Service.

The interim results of the election currently underway in the Maldives will be released by 9pm on Saturday, reveals the Elections Commission of the Maldives.

An official from the Elections Commission has revealed that voting is yet to begin in Thilafushi island due to a hold up.

As such, they are yet to acquire the permit to transfer the ballot boxes to the polling station in the island.

RaajjeMV understands that voting will begin in Thilafushi island shortly.

Officers of the Maldives Police Service are active in all islands in which voting is taking place.

Police had begun an operation under the name "Operation Blue Tide" to ensure safety and security throughout the elections.

Voting has begun in some polling stations in Malé and some outlying islands.

Voting begins across Maldives.

Elections Commissioner Ahmed Shareef has revealed that there are 60 coordinators active in the Elections Coordinating Centre.

Those who may vote without queueing up are:

1. Individuals with ECM passes (officials, monitors, observers)
2. The elderly
3. Disabled persons and persons with special needs
4. Police officers
5. Those who are pregnant and
6. Those who have toddlers with them