Dr. Muizzu wins Maldives presidential election

SSTV's election coverage:

Habeeb said that conducting campaign activities is prohibited until 06:00 am Sunday.

Habeeb said the complaints include two involving corruption, 15 involving electoral officials, and three involving anti-campaigns.

Habeeb said the complains bureau in Male’ received 15 complaints.

The commission has responded to one complaint, and are investing the remaining 14.

The complaints bureaus in atolls also received 15 complaints.

Habeeb said the commission has responded to one complaint, and are investing the remaining 14.

Habeeb said the person who smashed the ballot box in Gdh. Vaadhoo had been angry over an issue related to his national ID card.

EC holds a press conference regarding the election runoff.

EC’s vice chairman Ismail Habeeb said a similar mark was found on three ballot papers in a polling station in L. Fonadhoo.

He said the ballot box was immediately closed after the issue was raised, and it was decided a new one would be used.

He said voting resumed in two hours.

Habeeb said the commission is very confident it did not involve anything irregular from an electoral official.

PPM announces that Dr. Muizzu is scheduled to give an address at 10:00 pm at the Meeruma Hall.

The jubilant crowd gathered outside the PPM headquarters call for former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s release.

Muizzu’s supporters celebrate his victory across Male’ City.

ވަގުތީ ނަތީޖާއިން މުއިއްޒަށް ރައީސްކަން ކަށަވަރުވުމުން މާލޭގެ އެކި ސަރަހައްދުތަކުގައި ދަނީ އުފާ ފާޅުކުރަމުން.
ތަފްސީލް: https://t.co/03VOTocDgQ pic.twitter.com/rb0YSQSqMT

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) September 30, 2023

MDP’s former leader Mohamed Nasheed, who left the party to form Democrats, urges people against harassing members and supporters of the MDP, after the ruling party’s defeat in the presidential election to the opposition PPM-PNC coalition.

Evves faraathakun MDP ge memberunaai supporterunah badhubas bune furassara nukurumah varah edhen. Rulhiverikan iskurumakee budhdhiverikameh noon.

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) September 30, 2023

Preliminary results place Dr. Muizzu was the winner of the presidential election.

Dr. Muizzu wins 2023 presidential electionhttps://t.co/MqCH7vBjYn

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) September 30, 2023

The preliminary results of 429 out of 586 ballot boxes places PPM-PNC’s candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in the lead with 84,317 votes – which is 54.48 percent of total votes. MDP’s Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the incumbent president, trails close behind with 70,463 votes – which is 45.52 percent of total votes.

Crowd gathers at Thaajuddin School, unhappy over how electoral officials are counting the ballots.

The preliminary results of 293 out of 586 ballot boxes places PPM-PNC’s candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in the lead with 48,089 votes – which is 53.6 percent of total votes. MDP’s Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the incumbent president, trails close behind with 41,622 votes – which is 46.4 percent of total votes.

According to the police, 19 people were taken into custody in election-related incidents on Saturday, including showing or taking pictures of ballot papers.

18 of them have been released.

According to the police, the sole suspect who remains in custody is the person who was arrested for smashing a ballot box in GDh. Vaadhoo.

އޮޕަރޭޝަން ބްލޫ ވޭވް އަޕްޑޭޓް:
ވޯޓު ކަރުދާސް ދެއްކުމާއި ފޮޓޯ ނެގުމާ ގުޅިގެން 19 މީހަކު ފުލުހުންގެ ބެލުމުގެ ދަށަށް ގެނެސްފައިވޭ.

މިވަގުތު ފުލުހުންގެ ބެލުމުގެ ދަށުގައި ހުރީ ގދ. ވާދޫ ގައި ވޯޓު ފަޅާލި މައްސަލައާ ގުޅިގެން ފުލުހުންގެ ބެލުމުގެ ދަށަށް ގެނެސްފައިވާ މީހާ.

— Blue Wave 2023 (@OpsPoliceMv) September 30, 2023

EC’s vice chairman Ismail Habeeb says the voter turnout in the presidential election runoff is over 86 percent.

The preliminary results of 44 out of 586 ballot boxes places PPM-PNC’s candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in the lead with 53.03 percent of votes. MDP’s Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the incumbent president, trails behind with 46.97 percent.

For live updates, check:

https://riyaasathu.sun.mv/

Poll workers begin counting ballots in some of the polling stations.

EC’s vice chairman Ismail Habeeb says the counting will begin at 05:30 pm.

ރިޔާސީ އިންތިހާބުގެ ދެވަނަބުރުގެ ވޯޓުލާ ގަޑި އިތުރެއް ނުކުރާނެ. ގިނަ މަރުކަޒު ތަކުގެ ވޯޓުލުން ނިމިއްޖެ.5:30 ގައި ވޯޓު ގުނަން ފަށާނެ.#visnun23 @ElectionsMv

— Ismail Habeeb (@IsmailHabeeb) September 30, 2023

A person who went to a polling station in GDh. Vaadhoo damaged one of the ballot boxes, leaving ballot papers scattered on the floor.

 EC’s secretary-general Hassan Zakariyya states the ballots will be counted despite the damage to the box, as long as the ballot papers aren’t damaged.

Vaadhoo ballot box smashed openhttps://t.co/Tw50bPmsoY

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) September 30, 2023

Electoral officials begin closing queues at 05:00 pm.

EC had stated it will not extend polling time.

MDA’s leader Ahmed Siyam Mohamed casts his ballot.

The voter turnout has risen to 78.32 percent, with one hour left until polls closed.

According to information released by the EC, 221,496 people cast their ballots by 03:00 pm. This includes 111,273 women and 110,223 men.

21.68 percent of eligible voters (61,308 voters) – have yet to vote.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބު 2023ގެ ދެވަނަ ބުރުގައި 16:00އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް pic.twitter.com/nUepsm9YbI

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) September 30, 2023

Police detained 14 people in election-related incidents involving showing or taking pictures of ballot papers.

Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) urges authorities to investigate attacks against Feydhoo MP Mohamed Nihad and Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef, as well as attacks against others, as soon as possible.

“The commission finds physical assault, defamation and acts of hatred over difference in political opinion concerning,” said the commission.

HRCM stressed that such acts are criminal offenses, and urged authorities to investigate and take action as soon as possible.

ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އައްޑޫ މަރަދޫ ދާއިރާގެ މެންބަރު އިބްރާހީމް ޝަރީފާއި، ފޭދޫ ދާއިރާގެ މެންބަރު މުހައްމަދު ނިހާދަށް ބަޔަކު ހަމަލާދީ އަދިި މި ދެ ހާދިސާ ހިނގި ތަނުގައި ތިބި އާންމު ރައްޔިތުންނަށްވެސް އެކިވަރުގެ ހަމަލާ ދީފައިވާކަން މި ކޮމިޝަނުން ހަރުކަށި އިބާރާތުން…

— HRC of the Maldives (@hrcmv) September 30, 2023

Rights watchdog Transparency Maldives urges against violence.

As we receive reports of cases of electoral violence, we urge everyone to maintain an atomosphere of peace.

We also call on parties & supporters to refrain from amplifying or sharing mis/disinformation that could cast distrust over the election day proceedings.#MVElection2023

— Transparency MV (@TransparencyMV) September 30, 2023

Police state they have noted an increase in activities by criminal groups in Male’ City, and have heightened security measures in response.

Security heightened following uptick in crime group activitieshttps://t.co/dDYGVGxEXL

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) September 30, 2023

The voter turnout has risen to 70.37 percent, with two hours left until polls closed.

According to information released by the EC, 199,023 people cast their ballots by 03:00 pm. This includes 100,160 women and 98,863 men.

29.63 percent of eligible voters (83,781 voters) – have yet to vote.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބު 2023ގެ ދެވަނަ ބުރުގައި 15:00އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް pic.twitter.com/miCxiAXRng

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) September 30, 2023

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has cast his ballot.

He cast his ballot at a polling station in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

He was accompanied by his spouse, Nasreena Ibrahim.

The voter turnout as of 02:00 pm stands at 60.80 percent.

According to information released by the EC, 171,954 people cast their ballots by 02:00 pm. This includes 86,441 men and 85,513 women.

39.20 percent of eligible voters – 110,850 voters – have yet to vote.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބު 2023ގެ ދެވަނަ ބުރުގައި 14:00އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް pic.twitter.com/U3NnA06VWV

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) September 30, 2023

The voter turnout as of 01:00 pm stands at 52.87 percent.

According to information released by the EC, 149,524 people cast their ballots by 01:00 pm. This includes 76,290 men and 73,234 women.

47.13 percent of eligible voters – 133,280 voters – have yet to vote.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބު 2023ގެ ދެވަނަ ބުރުގައި 13:00އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް pic.twitter.com/EnBOaw5fqc

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) September 30, 2023

Parliament speaker and founder of the Democrats, former president Mohamed Nasheed has cast his ballot in the presidential election runoff.

The Democrats, which placed third in the first round, had decided they will not back either candidate in the runoff.

Raees Nasheed voted ????️????#GoVote pic.twitter.com/NmCenpriQ7

— Sim (@Simwarr) September 30, 2023

Voting resumes at the ballot box in L. Fonadhoo.

Voting had been suspended following a complaint over an ink stain on ballot papers.

EC says the issue has now been fixed.

The voter turnout as of 12:00 pm stands at 44.86 percent.

According to information released by the EC, 126,866 people cast their ballots within three hours after polls opened. This includes 65,523 men and 61,343 women.

55 percent of eligible voters – 155,938 voters – have yet to vote.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބު 2023ގެ ދެވަނަ ބުރުގައި 12:00އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް pic.twitter.com/EUFxszg7wH

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) September 30, 2023

Police have detained 10 people in election-related incidents. The cases involve instances where voters showed or took pictures of the ballot paper.

Seven of the suspects have been released after questioning.

Vice president Faisal Naseem has cast his ballot.

Speaking to reporters outside the polling station, Faisal urged all eligible voters to exercise their right and vote for the candidate of their choice.

The voter turnout as of 11:00 am stands at 34 percent.

According to information released by the EC, 97,220 people cast their ballots within three hours after polls opened. This includes 52,457 men and 44,763 women.

65 percent of eligible voters – 185,584 voters – have yet to vote.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބު 2023ގެ ދެވަނަ ބުރުގައި 11:00އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް pic.twitter.com/cvxuje9sKp

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) September 30, 2023

Polling has been suspended in L. Fonadhoo, after an electoral official at the polling station in the island was accused of marking the ballot papers.

The case is being looked into by the police.

Police have detained four people in election-related incidents so far. The cases involve instances where voters show their ballot or take pictures of the ballot paper.

One of the suspects has been released after questioning.

Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb, who contested the first round of the presidential election on behalf of the Democrats, has cast his vote.

The Democrats, which placed third in the first round, had decided against supporting either of the candidates in the runoff.

Transparency Maldives says that while their observers concluded that the polling stations were set up to ensure a secret vote at 96 percent of the polling stations, this was less clear in about 4 percent of all cases observed. 

Transparency Maldives: Vote secrecy not guaranteed in some polling stationshttps://t.co/QGXdrK8WD0

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) September 30, 2023

Speaking to reporters outside the polling station, President Solih expressed confidence in a victory.

He said he expects a voter turnout of 85-86 percent.

He also said that his party has not engaged in any illegal activity in connection to the election.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih casts his ballot.

President Solih, who is contesting for re-election on behalf of the main ruling MDP, cast his ballot in a polling station in Jamaluddin School.

Voter turnout as of 10:00 am stands at 23 percent.

According to information released by the EC, 65,600 people cast their ballots within two hours after polls opened. This includes 38,309 men and 27,291 women.

76 percent of eligible voters – 217,204 voters – have yet to vote.

Former vice president Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor has cast his ballot.

The MTD leader was escorted to the polling station in Kalaafaanu School by officers from Maldives Correctional Service.

Police said they detained a person on suspicion of taking a picture of a ballot paper in a polling station in Fuvahmulah City.

The person was released after questioning.

First Lady Fazna Ahmed casts her ballot.

Business magnate Mohamed Moosa casts his ballot.

ވިޔަފާރިވެރިޔާ މުޙައްމަދު މޫސާ ވޯޓުލެއްވުން
ތަފްސީލް: https://t.co/1DwsZEQFSp pic.twitter.com/Tp1I6tqKlt

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) September 30, 2023

Voter turnout as of 09:00 am stands at 12 percent.

According to information released by the EC, 36,312 people cast their ballots within one hour after polls opened. This includes 23,202 men and 13,110 women.

87 percent of eligible voters – 246,492 voters – have yet to vote.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބު 2023ގެ ދެވަނަ ބުރުގައި 09:00އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް pic.twitter.com/CfPHCh3tOZ

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) September 30, 2023

Opposition PPM-PNC presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s wife Saajidha Mohamed has cast her ballot.

EC says that polling has begun in all stations, except for ones in London and Abu Dhabi.

No disturbances have been reported so far.

ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބު 2023ގެ ދެވަނަ ބުރުގެ ވޯޓުނެގުން އަބޫދާބީ އަދި ލަންޑަން ފިޔަވާ އެހެން ހުރިހާ މަރުކަޒެއްގައި ވަނީ ފެށިފައި

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) September 30, 2023

Speaking to reporters outside the polling station, Muizzu urged all eligible voters to exercise their right to vote, as soon as possible.

Opposition PPM-PNC presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has cast his ballot.

He cast his vote into the box for constituents of South Machangolhi at the polling station in Thaajuddin School.

He was accompanied by his running mate, Faresmaathodaa MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef (Sembe), and other members of the PPM-PNC leadership.

Faresmaathodaa MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef (Sembe) the running mate of opposition PPM-PNC presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has cast his ballot.

He cast his ballot at the polling station in Thaajuddin School.

EC’s vice chairman Ismail Habeeb says that polling has begun in over 80 percent of polling stations.

% 80 އިންސައްތައަށްވުރެ ގިނަ ވޯޓުލާ މަރުކަޒުތަކުގައި ވޯޓުލުން ފެށިގެން ކުރިޔަށް އެބަދޭ.#visnun23 @ElectionsMv @psmnewsmv

— Ismail Habeeb (@IsmailHabeeb) September 30, 2023

Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) stresses voting is a fundamental right granted by the constitution to all citizens above the age of 18.

“Exercising this right is a civic duty,” said the commission.

ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބު 2023ގެ ދެވަނަ ބުރުގެ ވޯޓުލުން މިހާރު މިވަނީ ފަށާފައި. ވޯޓުލުމުގެ ޙައްޤަކީ 18 އަހަރުން މަތީގެ ކޮންމެ ދިވެހި ރައްޔިތަކަށް ޤާނޫނު އަސާސީއިން ލިބިދީފައިވާ މުހިއްމު ޙައްޤަކަށް ވީއިރު، އެ ފުރުސަތުގެ ބޭނުން ހިފައި ވޯޓުލުމަކީ ފަރުދީ ޒިންމާއެއް.#MVElection2023

— HRC of the Maldives (@hrcmv) September 30, 2023

Polling has begun.

The polling will be conducted from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm.

EC has warned it will not extend polling time, and has urged voters to cast their ballot as soon as possible.

EC’s vice chairman Ismail Habeeb warns queues will close at 05:00 pm, and that the commission will not extend voting time.

ރިޔާސީ އިންތިހާބުގެ ދެވަނަބުރުގެ ވޯޓުނެގުން އޮންނާނީ މިއަދު ހެނދުނު 8 ން ހަވީރު 5 އަށް.
ގަޑި އިތުރު ނުކުރާނެ.
ވީހާވެސް އަވަހަކަށް ވޯޓުލުމުގެ ހައްޤު އަދާކުރައްވާ!#visnun23 @ElectionsMv pic.twitter.com/KGRVdYGGrX

— Ismail Habeeb (@IsmailHabeeb) September 30, 2023

Elections Commission (EC) has urged voters to vote freely for the candidate of their choice.

Voters have begun queuing at polling stations, which are set to open at 08:00 am.