Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has decided to increase the number of ballot boxes in six areas and to not keep ballot boxes in four countries. The commission previously decided to place 507 ballot boxes.
During the timeframe given for re-registration, 21,203 voters re-registered which resulted in change of places and number of ballot boxes. ECM has decided 1,000 votes can be cast to one single ballot box to ease the process of voting. An additional box will be placed in each centre which surpasses 1,000 voters, according to the electoral body. Although ECM decided to place ballot boxes in 7 countries, if at least 100 voters register.
President of ECM Ahmed Shareef said 2 ballot boxes will be kept in places which previously held 1 box, noting the change was made due to more voters registering for the area. Meanwhile, Shareef revealed the electoral body’s decision to not keep ballot places in Singapore, Bangladesh, Thailand and New Delhi, India due to lack of registered voters. However, the number of ballot boxes in Colombo, Sri Lanka was increased to 2.
Following the changes, the total number of ballot boxes which is to be placed for the elections amounts to 507.
The parliamentary elections is scheduled to be held on April 6. ECM said 264,589 individuals are eligible to vote in the polls.