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Parliament 2019: MDP celebrates landslide victory

Summary

Welcome to Sun’s live coverage of Maldivian Parliamentary Elections 2019, which has 386 candidates contesting for 87 seats at the Parliament.

501 ballot boxes are being used in the parliamentary elections; 493 of which are in polling stations in Maldives and eight of which are in polling stations opened outside the country.

264,442 Maldivians have the right to vote in this Saturday’s election.

CANDIDATES BY POLITICAL PARTY/AFFILIATION

  • Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP): 85 candidates
  • Jumhoory Party (JP): 41 candidates
  • Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC): 46 candidates
  • Maldives Labor and Social Democratic Party (MLSDP): 10 candidates
  • Maldives Third-Way Democrats (MTD): 8 candidates
  • Maldives Development Alliance (MDA): 8 candidates
  • Adhaalath Party (AP): 9 candidates
  • Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP): 5 candidates
  • Independent: 174 candidates

Voting began at 8 am and will close at 4 pm.

VOTING TIME

  • Maldives: 8:00-16:00
  • Sri Lanka: 8:30-16:30
  • India: 8:30-16:30
  • Malaysia: 11:00-19:00
  • UK: 9:30-17:30
14:53
14:16
14:11

HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT EVER

President of Elections Commission (EC), Ahmed Shareef reports the voter turnout in the elections held last Saturday was the highest voter turnout ever in a parliamentary election in Maldives.

Total 212,079 Maldivian citizens exercised their constitutional right to vote in last Saturday’s election – making up for 80.2 percent of the total number of eligible voters which was 264,442.

13:49

Official interim results to be announced tonight

With ballot counting nearly complete, President of EC, Ahmed Shareef has announced the commission will be announcing the official interim results of the parliamentary elections sometime this Sunday night.

13:44
13:44
13:43
13:43
01:27
01:08
23:50

The decision made by Maldivian citizens today indicates that you stand by the decision you made on September 23.

President Solih

23:50
23:50

Today, we haven’t heard any complaint about a ring. We haven’t heard complaint of a pen with disappearing ink. Today, the people wanted in peace.

President Solih

23:50

Today, we witnessed a peaceful and undisputed election in this nation which took place when Elections Commission was given the room to work free from influence.

President Solih

23:50

I profusely thank everyone who ventured out to vote in today’s elections. And I especially thank the people who voted for the MDP candidates who are working for reform.

President Solih

23:45

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 75% of the total ballots counted for Gemanafushi Constituency (P03)

23:45

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih addresses the crowd gathered at Lonuziyaaraih Kolhu to celebrate MDP’s parliamentary election victory.

23:43

Vice President Faisal Naseem has joined the celebration at Lonuziyaaraih Kolhu to mark MDP’s landslide victory.

23:33

President of Jumhoory Party (JP) and Minister of Tourism, Ali Waheed is also at Lonuziyaaraih Kolhu to celebrate MDP’s victory.

23:31

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is taking party in the event held to celebrate MDP’s landslide victory at Lonuziyaaraih Kolhu.

23:29

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 75% of the total ballots counted for Fonadhoo Constituency (O04)

23:19

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Central Machangolhi Constituency (T15)

23:12

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for North Galolhu Constituency (T05)

23:11

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Isdhoo Constituency (O01)

23:09

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Kanditheemu Constituency (C01)

23:09

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for North Kulhudhuffushi Constituency (B04)

23:07

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Central Maafannu Constituency (T11)

23:06

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Central Hithadhoo Constituency (S05)

22:08

Interim results show MDP has won the parliamentary elections by a landslide.

22:05

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for North Machangoalhi Constituency (T07)

22:03

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Kaashidhoo Constituency (H01)

21:57

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for South Galolhu Constituency (T06)

21:52

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Hulhumale Constituency (T01)

21:47

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Hulhudhoo Constituency (S01)

21:46

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for South Hithadhoo Constituency (S06)

21:42

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Kudahuvadhoo Constituency (M02)

21:37

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Kendhikulhudhoo Constituency (D01)

21:33

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Dhuvaafaru Constituency (E03)

21:30

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Dhiggaru constituency (K01)

21:24

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Kelaa constituency (A05)

21:23

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Keyodhoo constituency (J02)

21:22

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Velidhoo Constituency (D03)

21:22

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Vilimale Constituency (T13)

21:21

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Feydhoo Constituency (S02)

21:20

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Alifushi Constituency (E01)

21:19

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for North Machangoalhi Uthuru constituency (T07)

21:17

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Inguraidhoo Constituency (E04)

21:17

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Mulaku Constituency (K02)

20:49

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Hoarafushi Constituency (A01)

20:44

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Hanimaadhoo Constituency (B01)

20:24

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Baarashu Constituency (A03)

20:22

‘Sun’ has received reports two ballot boxes remain to be closed; the B. Eydhafushi no. 2 ballot box and one ballot box in Fuvahmulah City.

Spokesperson and member of EC, Ahmed Akram reports the two ballot boxes have been kept open due to shortage of a single ballot paper each, leaving one voter from B. Eydhafushi and one voter from Fuvahmulah City unable to cast their vote.

Ballot papers have now been sent to both islands.

20:15

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Naifaru Constituency (G02)

20:00

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 50% of the total ballots counted for Dhidhoo Constituency (A04)

18:49

Ballot counting at the R. Innamaadhoo polling station pushed back to 7:10 pm with electoral officials underprepared.

18:33

Ballot counting begins at some of the polling stations.

18:31

Elections Commission reports a voter turnout of 207,360 people (78.4 percent) by the time polling closed at 6 pm.

Total 264,442 Maldivians were eligible to vote in the elections.

18:00

Polling is now closed at 6 pm.

Though originally scheduled to close at 4 pm, Elections Commission made the decision to extend polling by two more hours under the advisement of the national advisory committee.

17:59

All 176 voters registered to the ballot box at Dh. Rinbidhoo have now cast their vote.

17:30
16:22

70 percent of eligible voters have now cast their vote.

The number of voters who have cast their vote are 184,375; 93,204 men and 91,171 women.

16:09

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has declared next Sunday a public holiday on account of this Saturday’s parliamentary elections.

16:00
16:00

Long queues have formed at the polling station located in Ghiyaasuddin School, Male’ City. The polling station has ballot boxes for the different constituencies of G. A. Atoll.

15:47

Long queue formed at the ballot box for constituents from Th. Atoll and L. Atoll located in the polling station at Huravee School in Hulhumale’.

15:51

Elections Commission (EC) says the two-hour extension to polling hours is effective to all polling stations both in and out of Maldives.

15:43

Total 408 citizens have cast their voters into the ballot box located in the polling station in Ahmadhi Pre-School, N. Kendhikulhudhoo.

They are 202 men and 206 women.

There are 510 voters registered to the ballot box.

15:31

Total 1,718 citizens have cast their voters into the five ballot boxes in Lh. Hinnavaru. They are 894 men and 823 women.

15:28

Polling has been extended by two hours. Originally scheduled to close at 4 pm, polling will now close at 6 pm.

This commission has decided to extend polling hours to 6 pm in consideration of the low voter turnout due to the current hot weather conditions.

Elections Commission

15:26

98 citizens have cast their vote into the Kondey ballot box the Gemanafushi constituency. They are 53 men and 45 women. The ballot box is located at the polling station in the Kondey School. 228 voters are registered to the ballot box.

15:06

Spokesperson and member of EC, Ahmed Akram reports to ‘Sun’ the commission is considering extending polling time for only one ballot box – the ballot box at K. Thilafushi.

Polling began after a one-and-a-half-hour delay at 9:30 am due to a technical issue at the station.

A decision will be made during the national advisory committee meeting at 3 pm.

14:48

Former Vice President and parliamentary candidate, Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has cast his vote.

14:47

There are 3,059 newly eligible voters in this Saturday’s election.

13:59

50 percent of eligible voters have now casted their vote. 46.72 percent have yet to vote.

The total number of eligible voters who have cast their vote is 140,900; 73,142 men and 67,758 women.

13:33

Voting begins at polling station in the UK.

13:30

Three people arrested from Feydhoo, Addu City for taking pictures of their ballot papers. The latest arrests bring the number of total such arrests to four.

13:18

Half of voters registered to the three ballot boxes in Maamingili have cast their votes.

13:00

Voter turnout has hit 100,000.

12:50

280 of the registered 599 voters have cast their vote to the B. Eydhafushi no. 1 ballot box.

250 of the registered 565 voters have cast their vote to the B. Eydhafushi no. 2 ballot box.

325 of the registered 621 voters have cast their vote to the B. Eydhafushi no. 3 ballot box.

12:49

Voter turnout reported to be low due to the hot weather felt across Maldives.

Maldives Meteorological Service reports the temperature is over 31 Degree Celsius.

Recorded temperature:

  • Gan, Addu: 31.5 Degree Celsius
  • G. Dh. Kaadedhdhoo: 31.5 Degree Celsius
  • L. Kadhdhoo: 31.4 Degree Celsius
  • Hulhule: 31.9 Degree Celsius
  • H. Dh. Hanimaadhoo: 31.8 Degree Celsius

Forecasted to feel like:

  • Gan, Addu: 38.6 Degree Celsius
  • G. Dh. Kaadedhdhoo: 38.6 Degree Celsius
  • L. Kadhdhoo: 37.7 Degree Celsius
  • Hulhule: 38.1 Degree Celsius
  • H. Dh. Hanimaadhoo: 38.1 Degree Celsius
12:42

Man arrested from G. A. Vilingili for taking a picture of ballot paper. Maldives Police Service has identified the man as a Maldivian citizen of 36 years of age.

12:15
12:07

153 citizens have cast their vote to the Hulhudhoo, Addu City no. 3 ballot box located at the polling station in the S. Atoll Madharusaa. They are made up of 90 men and 63 women.

404 voters are registered to the ballot box.

12:00

71,842 citizens have cast their vote by noon. They include 40,417 men and 31,425 women.

264,442 citizens have the right to vote in this Saturday’s election. 27.8 percent have already cast their vote.

11:53

Former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has cast his vote into the North Machangolhi ballot box at the polling station in Arabiyya School.

11:50
11:40
11:40

The right to vote is the most important constitutional right. I appeal to as many citizens as possible to exercise this right.

Vice President. Faisal Naseem

11:40

Polling is being carried out in peace across Maldives. This shows the existence of equal opportunity for all politicians to carry out their political activities today.

Vice President. Faisal Naseem

11:37

92 citizens have cast their vote to the ballot box at Sh. Maroshi; 70 males and 32 females. Total 337 voters are registered to the ballot box.

11:37

Maldives Police Service reports it has received two election-related complaints so far.

11:37

Vice President Faisal Naseem has cast his vote to the ballot box allocated for the South Fuvamulah ballot box located at the polling station in G. Billoorijehige.

569 voters are registered to the ballot box.

11:22

118 citizens have cast their vote to the ballot box located in L. Kunahandhoo; 63 females and 55 males. 444 voters are registered to the ballot box.

11:22

167 citizens have cast their votes to the ballot box at Dh. Bandidhoo. 544 voters are registered to the ballot box. Polling going ahead in peacefully.

11:22

Elections Commission (EC) reports 43,000 Maldivian citizens have cast their vote so far. They include 26,000 males and 16,000 females.

10:20

President Solih urges all Maldivian citizens with the right to vote to exercise their constitutional right and vote in the parliamentary elections.

10:13

President of Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has cast his vote to the Lh. Hinnavaru ballot box located in the polling station at Jamaaluddin School.

09:55

EC: Parliamentary Election results will be announced later than Presidential Elections

Results of the parliamentary elections underway this Saturday will be announced later than the last presidential elections, says Elections Commission (EC).

Polling began at 8 am and is scheduled to close at 4 pm.

President of EC, Ahmed Shareef says there’s a possibility the results will be announced later than the presidential elections of 2018 as officials will need more time to sort out the ballots cast by voters to ballot boxes which serve multiple constituencies.

“Vote counting and announcement of results will take more time. Because voters from 50 constituencies will be casting their votes to a single ballot box. We will generate a separate a separate result sheet for each constituency,” said Shareef.

09:13

Former Maldivian President and Leader of MDP, Mohamed Nasheed casts his vote at the polling station in CHSE. He is also a contender of this year’s parliamentary elections.

08:40

Polling stations will allow people with physical disabilities one escort to assist they inside the polling station. They may also request assistance from an official from the EC.

08:40
08:40
08:30
08:30

Receiving small complaints such as lack of chairs

Elections Commission

08:30

EC is scheduled to hold a special elections-related ceremony at 9 am. And a national advisory committee later this Saturday morning. Both events will be open to the press, reports Spokesperson Ahmed Akram.

08:30

Voters who do not need to wait in queue at polling stations:

  • Pregnant women
  • Voters with babies, toddlers
  • The elderly
  • Voters will passes issued by Elections Commission
  • People with disabilities
  • Police officers
08:30

Maldives Police Service launched a special operation one-week ahead of the elections. 500 police officers have been dispatched to maintain security outside polling stations across Maldives.

08:26
08:25

Member and Spokesperson of EC, Ahmed Akram reports voting began on time at all polling stations across Maldives except for the polling station at K. Thilafushi.

08:25
08:02

Polling begins at 8 am - local time - across Maldives and the eight polling stations abroad.