The final list of eligible voters for the fast-approaching presidential election, has been publicized.

The final voters’ list has been publicized in the government gazette as well as the Elections Commission website.

The commission revealed that a total of 282,395 individuals are eligible to vote in the September polls.

Vice President of EC, Ismail Habeeb noted that the final list was released on their website after carefully combing through the complaints received during the period given to submit complaints.

Habeeb went on to highlight that no further changes will be made to the final list unless ordered by a judicial court of the Maldives.

Reregistration for the September polls was opened by the commission on July 16 and the online reregistration period expired on August 2, with physical submissions having closed on August 5.

This year’s presidential election is slated for September 9 and eight candidates are competing including five from major political parties and three independent candidates.

Running for presidency this year are the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih aspiring to be re-elected for a second term, candidate of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Ilyas Labeeb from The Democrats, Jumhooree Party’s Gasim Ibrahim, Mohamed Nazim running through Maldives National Party (MNP).

The independent candidates vying for presidency are Ahmed Faris Maumoon, Umar Naseer and Hassan Zameel.

The Elections Commission disclosed that they received a total of 9,887 applications from the Maldives including with 4,545 monitors, 3,607 observers, 1,735 delegates on behalf of candidates, to observe the presidential election.

EC had received 1,735 applications to place delegates at each polling booth where each party or each candidate can put a representative on behalf of them, by the end of August 17.

As such, a total of 458 applications were received from MDP, 217 from JP, 548 from PNC, 271 from MNP and 241 from The Democrats.

EC earlier revealed that they would be attempting to set up ballot boxes in eight countries for the presidential election but only five countries had enough people re-registered by the time the re-registration deadline expired. The five countries are India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the UK and the UAE.

The commission noted that 61 polling stations will be set up for voters’ native to the capital, Malé City and 77 polling stations for outlying atoll natives residing in the capital city. Further, six ballot boxes will be set up for Malé City natives residing in Hulhumalé Phase I and 16 ballot boxes will be placed for natives of outlying atolls residing in Hulhumalé Phase 2. It was also revealed that one ballot box will be set up for Malé City natives residing in Hulhumalé Phase II and 16 ballot boxes will be placed for natives of outlying atolls residing in Hulhumalé Phase II.

The commission is to set up six ballot boxes for Malé City natives residing in Villimalé, four polling stations for natives of outlying atolls residing in Villimalé. Further, a total of 319 polling stations will be set up in outlying atolls, with the commission to establish 78 ballot boxes in resorts and two ballot boxes at Maafushi Prison complex. One ballot box will be placed each, at Asseyri Jail, Hulhumalé Prison, Dhoonidhoo, Hulhulé and Thilafushi.