Last updated : 10 years ago

Local Council Election - ballot papers missing from a box in Male'

Polling for the Local Council Election is underway across the country, excluding atoll council polls in Gaafu Alif Vilingili. Voting for Gaafu Alif Vilingili constituency atoll council was postponed following a Supreme Court ruling that the Elections Commission's decision to rejected an independent candidate's application was incorrect. The commission decided to postpone the election on Wednesday stating that the ruling came after all preparations had been made and that a new date for the election will be announced later. Elections Commission (EC) has placed 468 ballot boxes for today's election. There are 2463 candidates competing for 1100 seats including; 2147 candidates for 951 island council seats, 275 candidates for 132 atoll council seats and 41 candidates for 17 city council seats.

07:46 Murshid Abdul Hakeem

Officials found that two ballots were missing from a box in Mandhu College. However, Gaafu Alif Dhevvadhoo box, also in Mandhu College, was found to have two excess ballots. Officials have counted and sealed both boxes.

19:59 Shahubaan Fahumy

National Complaints Bureau has said that it received 181 complaints regarding the Local Council Election held today. Speaking at a press conference this evening, an official of the bureau said that most complaints were about the display of photographs of eligible voters next to their details on the voters’ lists. He said that 28 complaints were filed in this regard. Other areas of complaints include issues related to officials of the Elections Commission, issues related to campaigning, requests to change ballot box venues, complaints about change of voters’ registered locations, and complaints about display of ballot papers.

Counting of votes at a ballot station in Male' - Sun photo: Fayaz Moosa

17:54

Elections Commission press conference:

Turnout percentage will be known when voting is completed. Turnout for this year was lower than that for 2011. Number of candidates who contested in the election was also less. This will be checked at the end of the election.

17:51

Elections Commission press conference:

Two pens have been removed by the police, after complaints were received that the ink from those two pens disappears.

17:47

Officials begin announcing preliminary results for some ballot boxes.

16:46

Officials have started counting ballots in some polling stations. Counting of boxes placed in Male’ and Vilingili are now underway.

16:33

Officials have sealed some ballot boxes. All voting queues have been closed. Voting still continues in stations where queues remain.

15:37 Shahubaan Fahumy

There has been an increasing show of displeasure among the public over the display of photographs of eligible voters next to their details on the voters’ lists, near the polling stations. Concerns have been raised over the display of photographs of women who now wear hijabs covering their heads or even niqabs, covering all of the face apart from the eyes. An official from the Elections Commission Complaints Bureau said they have received two official complaints and numerous complaints over the phone, regarding the display of photographs on voters’ lists.

14:08 Hussain Hassan

Voter turnout has started to pick up for stations in Male’. Long queues are seen outside Mandhu College, ballot station for Gaafu Alif Atoll.

14:00 Ahmed Saail Ali

Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has cast his ballot to a Fuvahmulah box in Arabiyya School, Male’.

Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed casts his ballot during the Local Council Election, 18 January 2014 -- Sun photo

12:41

Two voters arrested for displaying ballot papers.

We are receiving complaints of voters displaying their ballot papers. This has become an increasing issue of concern. Those who do this will be prosecuted.

12:36

Fuad Thaufeeq This is the commission’s largest election. We are experiencing a low voter turnout compared to other elections. We hope the turnout will increase in the afternoon. There are 240,220 eligible voters in this Local Council Election.

12:30

Voting began earlier in Nellaidhoo, by mistake. Two people had voted when it was realized that voting started too early.

12:27

President of the Elections Commission Fuad Thaufeeq is speaking at a press conference, now underway.

12:20 Hussain Hassan

A man registered for Gaafu Alif Kondey, Moosa Easa, 70, has cast a ballot for Gaafu Alif Dhaandhoo constituency. The issue has been reported to the police and the Elections Commission.

Moosa Easa, 70, has cast his ballot to a wrong constituency -- Sun photo: submitted by a reader

11:57 Shahubaan Fahumy

Former president Mohamed Nasheed has cast his ballot to a box in Centre for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) in Male’. Speaking to the press after casting his vote, Nasheed said some voters’ lists do not have photos of the voters and that he believes the voters whose photos are not displayed, do not exist. He also said that some voters’ lists include the names of deceased individuals. Nasheed said voter turnout for the local council election will be low compared to presidential and parliamentary elections. A voter turnout of 60 percent is optimistic, predicted the former president.

Former president Mohamed Nasheed casts his ballot, Local Council Election, 18 January 2014 -- Sun photo: Fayaz Moosa

11:51 Ahmed Saail Ali

Voters have started to queue outside Thaajudheen School ballot boxes, but few have cast votes over the low morning turnout. Ballot box for Haa Alif Filladhoo, Haa Alif Vashafaru, Haa Alif Kelaa has 161 ballots cast. The box has 1026 registered voters. Ballot box for Haa Alif Maarandhoo, Haa Alif Ihavandhoo, Haa Ahlif Molhadhoo has 104 ballot cast. The box has 462 registered voters. Ballot box for Haa Alif Dhidhdhoo has 131 ballot cast. The box has 639 registered voters. Ballot box for Haa Alif Baarah, Haa Alif Muraidhoo, Haa Alif Thakandhoo, Haan Alif Utheem has 226 ballots cast. The box has 918 registered voters. Ballot box for Haa Alif Hoarafushi, Haa Alif Thuraakunu, Haa Alif Ulimagu has 204 ballots cast. The box has 1115 registered voters.

11:12

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has cast his vote to a ballot box in former Jamaaluddeen School.

10:26 Mohamed Simaau

Hightlights, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll ballot boxes in Male’. Four ballot boxes are placed for Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in Kalaafaanu School, Male’. Gaafu Dhaalu – Male’ box number 1, designated for voters from Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo houses North of Kaannaa Magu, has received 45 votes. The box has 1245 registered voters. Gaafu Dhaalu – Male’ box number 2, designated for voters from Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo houses South of Kaannaa Magu, has received 46 votes. The box has 1013 registered voters. Gaafu Dhaalu – Male’ box number 3, designated for voters from Gaafu Dhaalu Rathafandhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Fiyoree and Gaafu Dhaalu Fares Maathoda, has received 90 votes. The box has 1220 registered voters. Gaafu Dhaalu – Male’ box number 4, designated for voters from Gaafu Dhaalu Vaadhoo and Gaafu Dhaalu Gadhdhoo, has received 62 votes. The box has 1151 registered voters.

09:29 Mohamed Naseem

Voting for the Local Council Election continues with a low turn out. Few people were gathered near polling stations at 9:00 a.m., just one and a half hours into polling. None of the stations had queues. The country’s first Local Council Election held in February 2011 saw large support from parties and voters alike. People interviewed yesterday reacted complacently to the election, saying that the local council were not important. “The councils don’t receive the necessary legal powers and the councils themselves have not done much,” said a man, moments before the parties concluded campaigning at 6:00 p.m. yesterday. Campaign efforts by political parties also seemed subdued. However, the election will see a large number of candidates this year with 2463 candidates competing for a total of 1100 seats.

Ballot station empty while a single voter stands to cast his ballot -- Sun photo: Fayaz Moosa

09:13 Ahmed Saail Ali

Galolhu-south ballot box 01, placed in Galolhu Madharusa, Male’; a total of 38 ballots have been cast to the box. The box has 923 registered voters. Galolhu-south ballot box 03 has received 34 ballots of 900 registered voters. Galolhu-south ballot box 04 has received 10 out of 173 registered voters.

09:03 Aminath Niyaza

Voting was disrupted for a short while in Noonu Miladhoo Hidhaayaa polling station following complaints that a pen with fading ink was placed inside the polling booth. A source from the island said approximately 20 ballots were already cast when the issue came to light. The pen in question has been replaced and voting has resumed.

08:05

Voter turn out relatively low Voter turn out is noticeably low. A number of ballot stations in Male’ are empty. Voting is underway in the islands, but little enthusiasm.

Voting begins for Local Council Election, Saturday, 18 January 2014

07:52

Voting postponed in three islands Elections Commission has said that voting has been delayed in three islands; Baa Fulhadhoo, Vaavu Thinadhoo and Gaafu Alif Kondey, after the commission failed secure the required number of officials for polls in these islands. Voting was to begin at 7:30 a.m.

07:42

Voting has started in polling stations across the country. Police said they have not received reports of any election related unrest.

07:16

Voters have started to queue outside polling stations across the country for the local council elections today. Voting is set to begin at 7:30 a.m.