ECM President Urges Voters to Use a “Tick” for Valid Votes in April 4 Elections

The President of the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM), Mohamed Zahid, has reminded voters that only ballots marked with a “tick” to indicate their choice will be considered valid under the law, urging voters to pay close attention when casting their vote.

Speaking on the Raajje Miadhi programme on Public Service Media (PSM) yesterday evening, Zahid explained that the “tick” is the only acceptable sign in Maldivian elections. 

“Votes with a cross to indicate a negative answer will not be considered valid,” he said.

He highlighted that the ECM has been using multiple channels to raise awareness about the voting process, including social media campaigns, local council collaborations, and public programmes.

The upcoming April 4 elections will include a referendum asking citizens whether parliamentary elections should be held simultaneously with local council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections. Zahid stressed that voters must use a tick regardless of whether they select “yes” or “no.”

“When the Referendum Act came into force, the first election we held under it was the referendum in Addu Atoll last year. We noticed that the highest number of votes were deemed invalid because the voters had put a cross next to ‘no’ when they meant to select the negative answer,” he said.

“I implore citizens to always put in a tick. To say yes, put a tick; to say no, even put a tick.”

Zahid also explained the voting procedure: each voter will receive three ballot papers for the local council, WDC, and referendum elections, which must be placed in three separate boxes.

“The [voters] will have to pay close attention to the instructions provided by the officials at the ballot box; we implore the voters to do so,” he said.

The ECM has confirmed that ballot papers are being printed, with administrative arrangements underway to ensure smooth voting. A total of 294,876 people are eligible to vote, with 588 ballots boxes to be deployed nationwide—180 in Malé, 51 in Hulhumalé, 9 in Villingili, and 322 in the atolls. Additionally, 21 boxes will be placed in resorts and five in prisons.

During the first phase of printing, each ballot paper is being individually checked. Ballot boxes, papers, and other election materials will be distributed ahead of the voting day to ensure proper arrangements are in place, Zahid said.