Majlis elections: Preliminary results place PNC in the lead

 Ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) has secured supermajority in the parliamentary election.

Over 200,000 people voted in the election held on Sunday to elect lawmakers for 93 constituencies.

PNC secures a supermajority in Parliamenthttps://t.co/tFMCGwIFcs

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) April 21, 2024

PNC contested for 90 constituencies while main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) contested for 89 constituencies. There were 130 independent candidates, 10 candidates from Jumhoory Party (JP) and 39 candidates from The Democrats.

As per the preliminary results, PNC secured over 60 constituencies accounting for almost two-third of the parliament. 

Jumhoory Party’s leader and prominent businessman Qasim Ibrahim defended Maamigili constituency seat in the parliamentary election.

Qasim defends seat, Nahula faces defeathttps://t.co/R16mmsmW9j

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) April 21, 2024

The preliminary results shows Qasim leading the polls.

His wife, former Transport Minister Fathimath Nahula who contested for South Hulhumale’ constituency meanwhile faced loss.  According to the preliminary results, she secured 178 votes. The polls for the constituency is led by MDP’s Dr. Ahmed Shamheed with 811 votes. 

Incumbent Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir failed to defend his seat in the parliamentary election.

Jabir loses Kaashidhoo seathttps://t.co/UYcFmOFANp

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) April 21, 2024

Preliminary results shows that Jabir only secured 44 votes.

The seat was won by ruling PNC’s candidate Munthazim Ibrahim with 411 votes.

His closest rival, MDP’s Abdulla Naseer received 139 votes 

Two children of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom – Dunya Maumoon and Faris Maumoon – who contested the parliamentary election lost out on their respective constituencies.

Dunya had contested for South Hulhumale’ constituency while Faris contested for North Mahchangolhi constituency. 

Maumoon's children face defeathttps://t.co/iWI5kV84gE

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) April 21, 2024

MDP has lost Addu City; an atoll that has previously been widely dominated by the main opposition in previous elections.

Ruling PNC took Addu City’s majority.  

Former MP Asma Rasheed (Asmatha) has secured Central Maafanu constituency’s seat.

Preliminary results places Asma comfortably ahead with 1,599 votes.

Her closest rival, MDP’s Ahmed Amir won 351 votes.

Incumbent Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde) has only received 111 votes so far. 

Inguraidhoo constituency's seat has been secured by former MP Ibrahim Falah by a landslide difference. 

As per preliminary results, he has secured over 1,400 votes - guaranteeing a win. 

Falah contested the election on ruling PNC's ticket. 

He won the seat in 2014's parliamentary election. 

Adhurey back to Parliament

Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey), the chairperson of main ruling PNC, has won back the L. Fonadhoo seat, which he resigned from last year to assume a position in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration as his advisor.

Preliminary results show he won 1,278 votes.

His closes rival, MDP’s Hussain Abubakr won 236 votes.

PNC wins a majority in Parliamenthttps://t.co/6XWGFZ3odN

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) April 21, 2024

Incumbent North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla has conceded defeat.

The Democrats’ politician posted on X, congratulating her rival, MDP’s Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu).

ގަލޮޅު އުތުރުން ކާމިޔާބު ހޯއްދެވި @mohamedkudu އަށް ވަރަށް މަރުހަބާ ދަންނަވަން.

ވޭތުވެދިޔަ ތާނގައި ގަލޮޅު އުތުރުން ދެއްވި އިތުބާރާ ޔަގީންކަމަށް ހިތުގެ ޚާލިސް ޝުކުރު ދަންނަވަން.

— Eva Abdulla ????❓???????? (@evattey) April 21, 2024

Siyam defends Meedhoo seat

MDA’s leader Ahmed Siyam Mohamed has defended his Dh. Meedhoo seat, winning a fifth consecutive term in the Parliament.

Preliminary results place Siyam in a clear lead, with 1,032 votes from eight boxes counted.

His closest rival, MDP’s Ilyas Ismail Latheef trailed behind with 214 votes. Independent candidate Ali Rasheed received 200 votes.

Former Baarah MP Shujau makes comeback

Ibrahim Shujau, the deputy leader of PNC, has won back his former Baarah seat.

Preliminary results place Shujau in a clear lead, with 1,117 votes from five boxes counted.

His closes rival, MDP’s Ali Asgar trails behind with 299 votes.

Shujau was also elected to the Baarah seat in 2014.

The results so far show the main ruling PNC in the lead.

Follow the results here.

Poll workers have begun counting ballots.

Turnout hits 73% with 207,000 voters

According to information released by the Elections Commission (EC), 207,693 people cast their ballots as of 05:00 pm, making for a voter turnout of 72.96 percent.

This includes 104,826 men and 102,867 women.

76,970 people (27.04 percent) had yet to cast their ballot.

‌މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2024ގައި 17:00 އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް #vihi24 pic.twitter.com/WcXeUBLWm9

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) April 21, 2024

Poll workers close queues

Poll workers have begun closing queues at polling stations.

Polling time had been set to 08:00 am to 05:30 pm. Elections Commission (EC) has repeatedly said that polling time will not be extended.

Turnout hits 63% with 181,000 voters

According to information released by the Elections Commission (EC), 181,406 people cast their ballots as of 04:00 pm, making for a voter turnout of 63.73 percent.

This includes 93,176 men and 88,230 women.

103,257 people (36.27 percent) have yet to cast their ballot.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2024ގައި 16:00 އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް #vihi24 pic.twitter.com/IbWCQpVLWL

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) April 21, 2024

Majlis elections: Turnout hits 56% with 160,000 voters

According to information released by the Elections Commission (EC), 160,158 people cast their ballots as of 03:00 pm, making for a voter turnout of 56.26 percent.

This includes 82,931 men and 77,227 women.

124,505 people (43.74 percent) have yet to cast their ballot.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2024ގައި 15:00 އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް #vihi24 pic.twitter.com/EfipuT2ny3

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) April 21, 2024

Former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has voted in the ongoing elections.

Yameen, who recently had an 11-year prison sentence overturned, cast his ballot at the Ahmadiyya School polling station in Male’.

Speaking to reporters outside the polling station, Yameen alleged that both the incumbent PPM-PNC administration and the former MDP administration had engaged in efforts to influence elections.

He said that he, during his administration, never engaged in any such acts.

Three arrested in election related incidents

Police have made three arrests in connection to elections-related incidents.

This includes one person arrested from Male’ for showing their ballot paper. The other two people were arrested from GDh. Fiyoaree for creating a disturbance and disrupting voting at a polling station in the island.

Three arrested in election-related incidentshttps://t.co/FFoOKRBwnz

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) April 21, 2024

Turnout hits 52% with 148,000 voters

According to information released by the Elections Commission (EC), 148,894 people cast their ballots as of 02:00 pm, making for a voter turnout of 52.31 percent.

This includes 77,998 men and 70,896 women.

135,769 people (47.69 percent) have yet to cast their ballot.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2024ގައި 14:00 އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް #vihi24 pic.twitter.com/s4nkKPsaoA

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) April 21, 2024

HRCM: 77% of polling stations opened on timehttps://t.co/qudZP6uYgY

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) April 21, 2024

Voting continues in Male’ as feels like temperature rises to scorching 44Chttps://t.co/Pjz3OjAcUv

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) April 21, 2024

VP Hussain expresses confidence in a win for government

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has voted in the ongoing elections.

Speaking to reporters outside the polling station, Hussain, who served as the parliamentary representative for Faresmaathoda constituency up until he resigned in November to assume vice presidency, said he expects a good win for the government.

He appealed to maintain peace and stability, whichever way the results turn out.

Total voters pass 100,000-mark

According to information released by the Elections Commission (EC), 113,627 people cast their ballots as of 01:00 pm, making for a voter turnout of 39.92 percent.

This includes 61,651 men (21.66 percent) and 51,976 women (18.26 percent).

171,036 people (60.08 percent) have yet to cast their ballot.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2024ގައި 13:00 އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް #vihi24 pic.twitter.com/7bp1Yd68ki

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) April 21, 2024

Transparency Maldives urges all parties to maintain the climate of peacehttps://t.co/YkdPW0ktWB

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) April 21, 2024

Former president Maumoon casts his ballot

Former Maldivian president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has voted in the ongoing elections.

I exercised my voting rights at the Majlis elections held today. May multi-party democracy flourish in Maldives! pic.twitter.com/Rx1IZwPGMA

— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) April 21, 2024

Two of Maumoon’s children, Dunya Maumoon and Ahmed Faris Maumoon are contesting the elections.

93,224 people vote in four hours

According to information released by the Elections Commission (EC), 93,224 people cast their ballots as of 12:00 pm, making for a voter turnout of 32.75 percent.

This includes 51,244 men (18 percent) and 41,980 women (14.75 percent).

191,439 people (67.25 percent) have yet to cast their ballot.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2024ގައި 12:00 އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް #vihi24 pic.twitter.com/uIF5dP8log

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) April 21, 2024

Majlis elections: HRCM’s observers operate at 263 polling stationshttps://t.co/9LJMzIQV3F

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) April 21, 2024

Abdulla Shahid, the leader of the main opposition MDP, has voted in the ongoing elections.

He cast his ballot at the Majeedhiyya School polling station.

Latest News Updates by 12:00 pm#vihisauvees @sstvmv
for more details: https://t.co/JH9asnWhll pic.twitter.com/mKdUt61xxZ

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) April 21, 2024

Nasheed urges everyone to vote

Former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed, who served as the Parliament’s speaker for a large part of the incumbent parliamentary assembly, has voted in the ongoing elections.

He cast his ballot at a polling station in Iskandhar School.

Speaking to reporters outside the polling station, Nasheed urged everyone to exercise their right to vote, stressing the importance of the involvement of as many people as possible in the legislative assembly – which he described as one of the main pillars of democracy.

Solih sees MDP winning a majority in parliamentary elections

Former Maldivian president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih says he sees the main opposition MDP winning a clear majority in the ongoing parliamentary elections.

Speaking to reporters outside a polling station in Male’, Solih said he believes MDP will defend its current majority in the Parliament.

“We hope the MDP will be able to secure a good majority by the end of today’s voting. We have been seeing this happening today and during the campaign,” he said.

According to information released by the Elections Commission (EC), 70,949 people cast their ballots as of 11:00 am, making for a voter turnout of 24.92 percent.

This includes 41,187 men (14.47 percent) and 29,762 women (10.46 percent).

213,714 people (75.08 percent) have yet to cast their ballot.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2024ގައި 11:00 އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް #vihi24 pic.twitter.com/tyu2wND39t

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) April 21, 2024

Former Maldivian president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who now serves as a top advisor at the main opposition MDP, has voted in the elections.

He cast his ballot at the Jamaluddin School polling station in Male’ City.

ފުޢާދު ވަނީ ވޯޓުލާ ސަރަހައްދުތަކުގައި ބާރުބޮޑުނުވާނެ ގޮތަށް ވޯޓުލުމަށް ފަހު އެ ސަރަހައްދުގައި މަޑުނުކުރުމަށް ވެސް އެދިވަޑައިގެންފައި.

އިތުރު ތަފްސީލް: https://t.co/DtzctlNHHX pic.twitter.com/4SMkz6xl1j

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) April 21, 2024

Polling proceeds without major incident

Speaking from a makeshift polling station at the Maafannu Stadium, EC’s chairman Fuad Thaufeeq told Sun that no major incident has been reported so far.

He encouraged early voting.

He also asked voters not to loiter outside polling stations in order to avoid overcrowding.

24,703 people vote in the first one-hour

According to information released by the Elections Commission (EC), 24,703 people cast their ballots as of 09:00 am, making for a voter turnout of 8.68 percent.

This includes 16,900 men (5.94 percent) and 7,803 women (2.74 percent).

259,960 people (91.32 percent) have yet to cast their ballot.

މިހާރު ކުރިއަށްދާ ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2024ގައި 9:00އާ ހަމައަށް ވޯޓުލާފައިވާ ނިސްބަތް #vihi24 pic.twitter.com/Hn6XaLolc4

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) April 21, 2024

Elections Commission (EC) reports that voting has begun in all polling stations.

ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2024 ގައި ގާއިމުކޮށްފައިވާ ހުރިހާ ވޯޓުލާ މަރުކަޒެއްގެ ވޯޓުނެގުން ވަނީ ފެށިފައި

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) April 21, 2024

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has cast her ballot in the parliamentary elections.

She cast her ballot at a polling station in Aminiya School in Male’.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has cast his ballot at a polling station in Tajuddin School in Male’ City.

Speaking to reporters outside the polling station, President Muizzu urged everyone to exercise their right to vote.

Polls are set to close at 05:30 pm. The Elections Commission (EC) has said it will not extend polling time.

Polls opened in the tightly-contested elections at 08:00 am.

Total 284,663 people are eligible to vote in the elections.

602 ballot boxes have been placed, both in Maldives and abroad.