ECM Extends Ballot Box Application Deadline for Resorts

In preparation for the upcoming presidential elections, the Election Commission of Maldives (ECM) announced yesterday that resorts that have not yet applied to set up ballot boxes will be granted an extended application window until the end of this month.

The decision to allow additional time for ballot box applications comes as an effort to provide more opportunities for Maldivian citizens employed at resorts who may not have previously requested to establish voting stations.

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For the upcoming elections, the ECM plans to set up a total of 604 ballot boxes to facilitate the voting process. Out of these, 78 ballot boxes are designated to be placed at various resorts. However, ballot boxes are only deployed in resorts where a minimum of 30 eligible voters have registered for the elections, alongside fulfilling specific conditions set by the commission.

Ismail Habeeb, the Vice President of the Election Commission, revealed that 23 resorts have not yet requested to have ballot boxes set up for the upcoming September 9 election. In order to offer more opportunities to Maldivian citizens working at these resorts, the Election Commission has decided to grant them an additional chance to establish ballot boxes. 

As per the commission’s guidelines, if 30 eligible voters from these resorts submit their re-registration forms to the commission by July 31, they will be permitted to set up ballot boxes.

It is worth noting that in previous elections, resorts required a minimum of 50 registered voters to be eligible for a ballot box. However, the commission has adjusted the threshold, now allowing a ballot box to be set up with at least 30 registered voters.

The distribution of ballot boxes for the upcoming elections will encompass a total of 187 boxes placed in the capital city of Male’, Villimale’, and Hulhumale’. Additionally, 319 ballot boxes will be positioned in atolls, 78 boxes in various resorts, and six boxes in correctional facilities — two in Maafushi Prison, one in Asseyri Prison, one in Hulhumale’ Prison, one in Dhoonidhoo, and one in Hulhule. 

Furthermore, the ECM has arranged for a selection of ballot boxes to be set up abroad to accommodate Maldivian voters living overseas. These international voting stations include one box each in Trivandrum and New Delhi in India, two in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, one in Singapore, four in Colombo, Sri Lanka, one in London, United Kingdom, one in Bangkok, Thailand, and one each in Abu Dhabi and Tokyo.

The Election Commission cautioned that the number of polling booths may be subject to change after the re-registration process is completed.