LCE 2020: Elections Commission projects low voter turnout of 40 percent

Elections Commission expects the voter turnout in the ongoing Local Council Elections and Women’s Development Committee Elections to be low, at barely 40 percent.

Speaking during a press conference on Saturday morning, Elections Commission chairman Ahmed Shareef said that 17 percent of eligible voters - meaning 44,026 people - cast their vote by 10:45 am.

Shareef said Elections Commission expects the voter turnout to be 38-40 percent.

Shareef said the voter turnout is low compared to previous elections, but that more voters may come in during the evening, closer to poll closing time.

273,182 people have the right to vote in the Local Council Elections.

701 ballot boxes have been kept in polling centers across Maldives and in neighboring India and Sri Lanka.

Polling stations opened at 07:00 am and will close at 06:00 pm. The one hour from 05:00 pm to 06:00 pm is designated for people in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19.