Presidential election: Re-registration to close tomorrow

Elections Commission (EC) has reminded the public that re-registration to vote at a location outside of one’s registered island in the upcoming presidential elections will close tomorrow.

Therewith, EC has urged the public to call or text 1414 to confirm their registered locations.

EC’s Vice President Ismail Habeeb, in a tweet on Friday, reminding re-registration will close tomorrow, Saturday, August 5^th, said the commission will not extend the deadline to re-register any further.

“If the registered location is not where a voter wishes to vote, please re-register to the preferred location at the earliest. Consider that there will be no second chance,” he said.

Habeeb said no further extension can be given as an extension to re-register will hinder other preparation works underway for the election. Nevertheless, Habeeb noted in circumstances where the ballot box at the presently registered location cannot be placed, voters registered to vote at the particular ballot box will be provided the chance to re-register. However, he noted that such a circumstance is only likely with respect to ballot boxes placed in resorts and abroad.

“Do not wait for the last moment. EC urges the public, candidates and political parties to complete their re-registration,” he added.

The registered location of the voter can be checked by texting VR (SPACE) ID Card Number to 1414.

Meanwhile, online re-registration, which opened on July 16, closed on Wednesday. EC said they received 22,882 applications; much lower compared to previous elections. EC forecasted 42,000 re-registration applications.

EC states they will place 604 ballot boxes for this year’s election; a number subject to change once the re-registration process is complete.

A total of 283,272 people are eligible to vote in the election.