Malé, Maldives – Election Commission (EC) of Maldives has announced that this year’s presidential election will be held on September 9.
EC Chairman Fuwad Thowfeek told in yesterdays press conference that while first round is scheduled to be held on September 9, the second round of voting would be held on September 30 if the requirement arises.
The number of eligible voters in this election is 280,000, an increase of 21,000 compared to the last presidential election, he said.
The campaign period for the election will run from August 10 to September 7.
Election Commission Vice President Ismail Habeeb said the National Complaints Bureau and the Atoll Complaints Bureaus would be formed soon.
The Election Commission said 600 ballot boxes will be set up for this year’s presidential election.
The largest party in the presidential election, the MDP, will hold a primary on 28th of this month to determine a presidential candidate. The primary is being contested by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Parliament Speaker Mohammed Nasheed.
Others who have announced their intent to contest this years presidential election are Maldives National Party President Mohammed Nazim and Umar Naseer. Jumhoory Party and MDA have also stated that they will nominate a presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, the opposition PPM and PNC have given the presidential ticket to former President Abdullah Yameen. However, the Criminal Court on December 25 sentenced former President Yameen to 11 years in jail after he was convicted of the charges against him.
President Yameen will not be able to contest the upcoming presidential election until the Criminal Court’s verdict is quashed by a higher court.
MVR 90 million in this year’s budget for the presidential election. The Election Commission, however, has asked the Finance Ministry to allocate a budget of MVR 120 million for the polls.
The Election Commission estimates that the first round of the presidential election will cost MVR 95 million. The figure is expected to rise to MVR 120 million if a second round of elections is held.
