ECM Announces High Number of Invalid Votes in Presidential Election

The Election Commission of Maldives (ECM) has unveiled the provisional results of the presidential election 2023, highlighting an alarming increase in the number of invalid votes.

ސެޕްޓެންބަރު 9 ވީ ހޮނިހިރު ދުވަހު ބޭއްވި ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބު 2023 ގެ ވަގުތީ ނަތީޖާ #visnun23 pic.twitter.com/J58y0yF9Xm— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) September 11, 2023

According to the provisional results provided by the ECM, a total of 79.85% of the 282,395 registered voters exercised their right to vote, equating to 225,486 individuals.

However, a concerning trend emerged in the form of 4,835 invalid votes, constituting 2.14% of the total ballots cast. This significant number of invalid votes has raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process, marking a notable departure from previous presidential elections.

The provisional results, disclosed by the ECM, indicate that no candidate managed to secure the required 50 percent of the vote. 

This outcome has set the stage for a second-round between Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, scheduled for September 30.