There are 305 candidates contesting for 85 seats at the Parliamentary Election 2014, for which the number of eligible voters is 240,652.
Voting will begin at 8:00 a.m. end at 4:00 p.m.
People started queuing up near ballot stations as early as 7:30 a.m.
00:27
The coalition of ruling party Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has won majority at the Parliamentary Election 2014.
Based on the preliminary results, the coalition is likely to win 55 seats, or 60 seats including independent candidates who share PPM’s ideologies; which is more than 70 percent of the 85-member parliament.
PPM candidates are likely to win 35 seats, while Jumhooree Party (JP) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) candidates are likely to win 15 and five seats respectively.
Opposition Maldivian Democratic PArty (MDP) is likely to win 23 seats. At the Parliamentary Election in 2009, MDP won 26 out of the total 77 seats.
22:26Shahubaan Fahumy
Elections Commission has said that counting of votes has not begun in Vaavu Rakeedhoo.
Speaking at an ongoing press conference at Elections Commission, commission member Faroog said that this was because officials at the ballot box are against counting the votes.
22:12Ahmed Mujuthaba
PPM candidate Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has said that efforts are under way by the party to file a complaint to Elections Commission, after six votes went missing from Male’ ballot box for Lhaviyani Hinnavaru, G01.0.1 .
Nazim said that according to officials at the ballot box, the number of eligible voters for this box was 855, and the number of people who voted was 781.
When the votes were counted, MDP candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Salih received 422 votes, and Nazim received 353 votes.
Nazim said that if there were no invalid votes, this leaves the box short of six votes, but officials closed the box without solving this problem.
Nazim, who is presently in Hinnavaru, said that work is ongoing to file a complaint to Elections Commission.
18:03
Counting has begun of votes in ballot box #1 at Thinadhoo School after a delay of about one hour, due to no observer being present at the station.
17:22Murshid Abdul Hakeem
Counting of votes is under way at most voting stations in Addu City. No problems were encountered when the boxes were closed.
17:17
Ballot box #1 at Thinadhoo School has not been opened, because there is no observer. Elections Commission officials said that if there is no observer, the box can be opened in the presence of three people who voted at that ballot box, however, no one who voted at that ballot box is currently in the area.
Counting has begun at all other ballot boxes in Thinadhoo.
Thinadhoo ballot box #1
16:39Ahmed Saail Ali
Counting of votes has begun at 4:30 p.m. at the four ballot boxes in Dhidhdhoo.
16:33Murshid Abdul Hakeem
Queues were closed in in Addu City at 4:00 p.m.
Long queues had been formed at several voting stations before they were closed.
A man tried to join a queue at Feydhoo School after it was closed, which led to an argument between him and Elections Commission officials. He was not allowed to join the queue as he showed up after 4:00 p.m.
16:14
Queue closed for Komandoo ballot box – Sun photo: Guraisha
16:11
Some ballot boxes have been closed in Male’ and islands. All queues have now been closed.
People who had joined queues before 4:00 p.m. are being given the opportunity to vote.
16:10Ahmed Saail Ali
All four ballot boxes have been closed in Dhidhdhoo at 4:00 p.m.
Closed ballot box in Dhidhdhoo – Sun photo: Saail
15:27Ahmed Saail Ali
Elections Commission has said that no complaints regarding voting had been received from Haa Alifu Atoll.
Police have also said that voting is ongoing smoothly in the atoll.
There are 22 ballot boxes in Haa Alifu Atoll.
Voting is ongoing peacefully. We haven’t received any complaints.
Voting in Dhidhdhoo – Sun photo: Saail
15:24
Police have taken an individual for questioning in Thinadhoo, after he marked his vote and showed the ballot paper.
15:16
Elections Commission has said that the complaints filed from Thinadhoo were regarding voter registration and showing ballot papers.
The commission has said that no arrests have been reported from Thinadhoo.
A man casts his vote in Thinadhoo
15:05
By 2.00 p.m., the number of votes cast in Thinadhoo is 1,808. The number of eligible voters in the island is 7,322, which means voter turnout so far is only 24 percent.
By 2:00 p.m., the number of votes cast in Gaafu Dhaalu Madaveli and Gaafu Dhaalu Hoadedhdhoo are 483 and 267 respectively.
Voting under way in Thinadhoo
14:53
Two individuals have been arrested on suspicion of bribery in relation to the election.
Police said that the two suspects were involved in distributing and accepting money.
14:51Murshid Abdul Hakeem
Police have said that three individuals have been advised after they showed their marked ballot papers.
Police said that details of these individuals will also be shared with Elections Commission.
14:39Murshid Abdul Hakeem
About half of eligible voters have cast their votes in Addu City. Voter turnout is low, compared with recent elections.
Voting in Addu City: People seem less interested in voting, compared with recent elections
14:38Shahubaan Fahumy
420 people have voted so far at the Male’ ballot box for Feydhoo, placed at Majeediyya School. The number of eligible voters for this box is 820.
13:51
347 people have voted so far in Maakurathu, where voting is ongoing smoothly.
Voting in Maakurathu – Sun photo: Ahmed Habeeb
13:44Shahubaan Fahumy
138 people have voted at the ballot box for Maafannu South placed at the parking area near Ministry of Finance. The number of eligible voters for this box is 352.
13:38Ahmed Mujuthaba
Unrest has taken place between supporters of different candidates near the ballot box for Vilufushi at Aminiya School.
The situation has been controlled by police.
Vilufushi candidate Ismail Rasheed near the Male’ ballot box for Vilufushi– Sun photo: Ahmed Mujthaba
12:46
237 people have voted so far at the ballot box in Baa Dharavandhoo, placed at the Atoll School. The total number of registered voters for this ballot box is 606.
An individual casts her vote at the ballot box at Atoll School in Baa Dharavandhoo – Sun photo: Ali Rashid
12:41
A 35-year-old man has been taken for questioning by the police in Seenu Feydhoo, for marking his vote and showing the ballot paper.
12:26
Voting in Meedhoo
Voting in Meedhoo
12:23Ahmed Saail Ali
About 600 people have voted so far at the four ballot boxes in Haa Alifu Dhidhdhoo. The total number of registered voters in Dhidhdhoo is 1,880.
12:18
Cases of people marking and showing ballot papers have been reported to police from Seenu Feydhoo and Gaafu Dhaalu Madaveli.
Police said that five cases have been reported so far, of people marking their votes and showing ballot papers.
12:08
300 people have voted so far at the ballot box for Meedhoo citizens in Meedhoo. The total number of eligible voters for this ballot box is 644.
60 people have voted so far at the ballot box for people from other islands in Meedhoo. The total number of eligible voters for this ballot box is 172.
People cast their votes in Meedhoo – Sun photo: Ahmed Shareef
11:46
Police are trying to control the situation after unrest took place near Ghiyaasuddin School.
Unrest near Ghiyaasuddin School – Sun photo: Ali Nafsheeh
11:39
Voting is under way in Dharavandhoo.
Voting in the island of Dharavandhoo, under Kendhoo constituency – Photo: Zaiko Rashid
11:36
Elections Commission has said that it is too soon to make a judgement on overall voter turnout.
The commission said that it was not using its software to monitor voter turnout at this election, thus it was not possible to determine the exact number of votes cast so far.
Voter turnout for Presidential Election was 90 percent, while that for Local Council Election was 62 percent.
Elections Commission has urged everyone to vote early.
11:32
Former President Mohamed Nasheed has cast his vote, at the ballot box for Galolhu North at Male’ City Council.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed votes at the Parliamentary Election – Sun photo: Fayaz Moosa
11:29
Elections Commission has said it had received four complaints of bribery in relation to the Parliamentary Election, and that its these issues will be investigated by its Complaints Bureau.
11:26
Elections Commission has said that significantly fewer complaints have been filed, compared with the Presidential Election.
11:24
Elections Commission has said that counting of votes will begin as soon as ballot boxes are closed, preliminary results will be announced as counting is completed for each ballot box.
The commission said that announcement of preliminary results should be completed by tomorrow morning.
11:20
Voter turnout has been low until 11 a.m., says Elections Commission.
11:19
The commission will receive all preliminary results by tomorrow morning.
11:18
Elections Commission has said that voter turnout has been low, and urged everyone to vote early.
11:15
Elections Commission has said that 11 complaints had been filed regarding voter registration. This includes three complaints of name missing from register, three complaints of name appearing on wrong register, and five complaints of registration without the individual’s knowledge.
11:12
Press conference by Elections Commission regarding ongoing Parliamentary Election has begun.
10:59Murshid Abdul Hakeem
Voting has begun in Kaafu Gaafaru, at 10:21 a.m.
10:50
Voter turnout has gone down in Addu City due to rain.
Addu City Hithadhoo School area
10:46Mohamed Simaau
21 votes have been cast so far at the Male’ ballot box for Kaafu Guraidhoo, placed at Ahmadiyya School. The total number of eligible voters for this ballot box is 131.
10:38
Police have taken a 29-year-old individual for questioning in Gaafu Dhaalu Gadhdhoo, for showing marked ballot paper.
10:35Murshid Abdul Hakeem
Not many people are queuing up to vote in Addu City, as it has started raining in some areas. Bad weather is likely to reduce voter turnout.
Bad weather is likely to reduce voter turnout in Addu City
10:14Murshid Abdul Hakeem
Voting has still not begun in Kaafu Gaafaru, after problems were discovered in the voters’ lists.
Voting was scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. in the island, one and a half hours later than the rest of the country, due to shortage of officials.
Elections Commission said that voting was scheduled to begin later in Gaafaru because officials had to be provided to the island from a nearby island.
10:12
President Yameen Abdul Gayoom has cast his vote at the ballot box for Mahchangolhi at Centre for Higher Education Centre (CHSE).
President Yameen casts his vote at the Parliamentary Election – Sun photo: Fayaz Moosa
10:12Ahmed Azif
A group of people have accused the MDP candidate of campaigning when he entered the voting area at Iskandar School for Haa Dhaalu Vaikaradhoo ballot box, and removed him from the area.
Officials of HRCM area also present near this station, after claims of distribution of money in the area.
10:07
Police have said that people who show ballot papers are not arrested, but taken to the police station for questioning.
10:06Ahmed Saail Ali
Elections Commission Chief Official for Haa Alifu Atoll Hussain Auzar has told Sun Online that everything related to voting is ongoing smoothly in the atoll.
Voting began at 8:00 a.m. sharp in all islands except for Kelaa. It began shortly afterwards in Kelaa as well.
People of Dhidhdhoo cast their votes – Sun photo: Ahmed Saail
10:00
Police have intervened and solved the problem as requested by Elections Commission officials, after an individual attempted to create unrest near ballot box #2 in Alifu Dhaalu Mahibadhoo.
09:58
Voting has resumed in Shaviyani Maaungoodhoo, after police removed the campaign banner at the voting station.
09:55
75 votes have been cast so far in Maakurathu.
People of Raa Maakurathu cast their votes
09:45
A 28-year-old has been arrested at Seenu Feydhoo School, for marking his vote and showing the ballot paper.
09:42
Voting has begun in Kaafu Gaafaru.
09:33
An 18-year-old has been arrested also in Nilandhoo, for marking his vote and showing the ballot paper.
09:29
An 18-year-old has been arrested in Gadhdhoo for marking his vote and showing the ballot paper.
09:28
At ballot box B03.08.1 in Haa Dhaalu Kurinbee, 42 people have cast their votes so far. The total number of registered voters at this ballot box is 353.
People of Haa Dhaalu Kurinbee cast their ballots – Sun photo: Ali Visham
09:25
Police have said that some voting issues were encountered at the Maafannu North ballot box near Customs Building. Voting at this ballot box is now, however, ongoing. The issue was related to campaign flags in the area.
09:24Murshid Abdul Hakeem
28 candidates are running for seven seats in Addu City. They are six candidates from MDP, four candidates from PPM, three candidates from JP, one candidate from Adhaalath Party and 13 independent candidates.
Voting is under way in Addu City
09:23
People of Thinadhoo cast their votes
09:17Shahubaan Fahumy
Elections Commission has said that voting is under way at all locations across the country and abroad, except for Kaafu Gafaru.
Media Official of Elections Commission Aishath Shifana said that voting will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Gaafaru.
She said that voter turnout and complaints received thus far will be announced at a press conference at 11:00 a.m.
09:08
Voting is ongoing in Baa Kamadhoo. Two ballot boxes have been placed in the island, one for citizens of Kamadhoo and one for staff of Reethi Beach Resort and Four Seasons Resort.
People of Baa Kamadhoo cast their votes – Sun photo: Ali Ismail
09:06Murshid Abdul Hakeem
Voting as begun in all areas in Addu City. At some ballot boxes, however, voting did not begin at 8:00 a.m. sharp.
People of Addu cast their ballots
08:54
Voting is under way peacefully in Meemu Muli.
Voting in Meemu Muli – Sun photo: Rishaad Mohamed
08:51
Long queues have been formed near Imaaduddin School.
Voting at Imaaduddin School – Sun photo: Fayaz Moosa
08:42
Voting ongoing peacefully in Thinadhoo
Voting began at 8:00 a.m. in Thinadhoo. Six ballot boxes have been placed in the island for citizens of Thinadhoo, and one for citizens of other islands.
People of Thinadhoo cast their ballots – Sun photo: Hassan Mohamed
08:39
Voting has not begun in Shaviyani Maaungoodhoo, due to an issue regarding a campaign banner in the Preschool.
Police said that efforts are ongoing to remove the banner, as requested by Elections Commission Complaints Bureau.
08:33
People voting at the ballot box at Kalaafaanu School. Voting is under way in Male’ and islands across the country.
08:22Ahmed Saail Ali
Voting began in Dhidhdhoo at 8:00 a.m.
08:21
Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has called on all citizens to exercise their right to vote.
In a statement, HRCM stressed the importance of exercising the right to vote responsibly and independently, to sustain peace and order in the country.
08:17
Voting is under way at both ballot boxes in Dhaalu Meedhoo.
Voting is under way in Meedhoo
08:03
Voting begins in Dhaalu Meedhoo – Sun photo: Ahmed Shareef
08:03Ahmed Saail Ali
Only a few people are queuing up to vote in Dhidhdhoo. There are four ballot boxes in the island, and queues have only been formed near two of them.
Five candidates are running for Dhidhdhoo seat, and 1,880 people have registered to vote in Dhidhdhoo.
Queues in Dhidhdhoo
07:52
Police have launched a special operation by the name of ‘Iruvaru’ to ensure security at today’s election. Police will maintain security at ballot boxes across the country.
Police officers near Majeediyya School – Sun photo: Fayaz Moosa
07:42
Elections Commission officials carry a ballot box to a voting station
LOCAL EDITION
