Candidate numbers to remain unchanged in second round

Elections Commission has revealed that the candidates numbers issued for the first round of the presidential election will remain unchanged for the second round, scheduled for Saturday, 16 November.

Speaking to Sun today, commission president Fuad Thaufeeq said they came to the decision after due discussion with candidate’s representatives.

“Agents from both candidates want their candidates to use the same numbers. So, the Elections Commission has decided for the candidates to use the same numbers they used in the first round,” Fuad Thaufeeq said.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate, former president Mohamed Nasheed, who came in first with 47 percent of votes in the 9 November election will continue with candidate number 4 for the second round.

Similarly, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidate Abdulla Yameen, who came in second with 30 percent votes will continue with candidate number 3 in the runoff vote.

Printing of ballot papers has been completed, Fuad said, and the commission is scheduled to begin transporting ballot papers to the atolls on Thursday.

Prior to deciding that the same number will be maintained, the Elections Commission had, following the annulled vote of 7 September, decided to arrange the candidates on the ballot paper for the second round according to the rank they achieve in the first round.