Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has revealed it will announce the interim results of the parliamentary by-election of the Komandoo constituency in Male' City.
ECM previously scheduled the announcement of the interim result for the by-election in Komandoo, Shaviyani Atoll. However, the electoral body stated it has assessed the current situation and decided the best course of action would be to announce the interim results in Male' City.
President of ECM Fuad Thaufeeq said it would be safer to announce the interim results in Male' City, due to the spike in COVID-19 cases. The head of the electoral body noted the current COVID-19 guidelines require travellers to the atolls to conduct PCR tests, and that it would be hindrance to the by-election if any of the members or officials receive a positive result. He highlighted that announcing the results in Male' City would prevent any potential obstruction to the by-election, adding that most of the registered voters are in Male'. He said the interim results of the Komandoo parliamentary by-election and the Women's Development Committee (WDC) by-elections will be announced at the ECM administrative office in Male'.
ECM will be placing seven ballot boxes for the upcoming parliamentary by-election of the Komandoo constituency on February 5. The electoral body previously decided to place six boxes for the by-election. However, a ballot box has been added to the list published in the Greater Male' Region after the final list of eligible voters for the constituency was finalised.
A total of 3,309 people are eligible to vote in the by-election of the Komandoo constituency, which includes Komandoo, Foakaidhoo, and Maroshi.