Live Updates from Presidential Elections 2023
Maldivians have commenced casting their votes in the presidential elections, which will determine the nation’s leader for the next five years.
Incumbent President Ibrahim Solih is seeking a second term in an election that has attracted the highest number of candidates since the introduction of multiparty elections in the country in 2008. He faces stiff competition from seven other candidates vying for the nation’s highest office.
Voters began queuing up at polling stations as early as 7:30 in the morning. Approximately 280,000 eligible voters, including 27,000 first-time voters, will participate in this election. Across the Maldives and select overseas locations, a total of 574 ballot boxes have been placed to facilitate the voting process.
Polling stations across the Maldives officially opened at 8 a.m. and voting will continue until 4 p.m.
A team of 165 observers, including representatives from the European Union and the Commonwealth, are in the country to oversee the election.
The provisional results are expected later on Saturday.