Local Council Election 2017

Elections officials have begun counting ballot boxes that have been closed.

The President's Office has decided that tomorrow will be a public holiday, citing that many state employees had been heavily involved with Saturday's vote. 

Two ballot boxes in Addu City have also been closed. Counting for ballot boxes that have been closed now will commence at 18:30 hours. 

Some constituencies - namely ones in Baa and Lhaviyani atolls - have begun closing ballot boxes. 

The opposition Jumhooree Party's deputy leader Hussein Rasheed Hassan said that the election's results cannot be trusted due to various discrepancies in the polling process. 

He said at a joint opposition press conference on Saturday evening that the decision to extend the voting period without discussion with the political parties contesting the election. 

He added that the decision is also a blatant violation of the Local Council Elections Act.

Opposition parties - the Maldivian Democratic Party and Jumhooree Party - have said in a press conference that the Elections Commission's decision to extend the voting period is unlawful. 

At a press conference on Saturday evening, MDP's chair Hassan Latheef said that the decision appears to be a move to alter the results of the election. 

JP's Deputy Leader Hussein Rasheed called on the Elections Commission to refrain from 'such illegal acts'.

All polling stations in Addu City to be closed at 8 pm, despite most stations opening on time

The Elections Commission has extended the voting period, so that ballot boxes are now to be closed at 18:00 hours, two hours later than previously decided. 

Ballot boxes that had not been opened at 08:00 this morning will be closed at 20:00 hours. 

The Elections Commission said it has received 30 complaints about various factors in Saturday's vote. These include complaints involving logistical difficulties, documentation discrepancies, and about campaigning within polling stations. 

Some voters had also said that their names have already been checked off voter's lists despite them not having voted - which implies that their vote had been cast by someone else. 

Vice Presidet Abdulla Jihad has also cast his vote. He voted to his constituency's ballot box at the Velaanaage complex in Malé. Vice President Jihad is a constituent of Hulhu-Henveiru. 

The Elections Commission has advised voters to be cautious of fake ballot papers, and asked them to not make any additional stains or marks on their papers. 

Further, the commission had also asked voters to provide assistance and give special attention to other voters who either have a physical disability or are elderly. 

Elections Commission has said that a total of 30 complaints has been filed with them; 25 reported verbally while five complaints were reported via writing.

The Elections Commission has said that it has recieved reports of "fake ballot papers" being used at polling stations. 

The Commission noted that its ballot papers would have security features - which they would look into when counting ballots. 

Commission members had condemned the act and said they would thoroughly investigate the matter. 

Maldives Police Service has said that it has stopped individuals campaigning near Hiriya School in Malé City 

176 voters, out of 863 eligible voters, had cast their votes for the South-Galolhu (1) T06.1.1 ballot box by 12:15 pm

143 constituents from the Central-Maafannu constituency have voted at the T11-04 ballot box thus far. 

Voting in all stations across the country officially began at 11:00 am, says Maldives Democracy Network (MDN).

MDN said there was a delay in more than 28 stations, adding that voting was delayed "due to the lack of a ballot box" in over three stations.

MDN on Thursday revealed that Elections Commission had rejected the applications of all of its elections observers for LCE2017.

A candidate contesting for a council seat in Thinadhoo island has been removed from his constituency's polling station. 

Transparency Maldives has said that they have observers monitoring the local council election proceedings at 20 polling stations across Maldives. TM noted that its key objective in observing LCE2017 "is to identify issues in electoral system & provide meaningful recommendations to address issues".

RaajjeMV's monitor in Meedhoo island has reported that the pro-government Maldives Development Alliance has been campaigning at a polling booth there. 

Voters have raised complaints of anti-campaigning going on at a polling booth in Ukulhas Island. Reportedly, members known to be aligned with the Progressive Party of Maldives have been making remarks outside the booth. 

Voting at the N03.0.1 box for Kimbidhoo Constituency has finally commenced. This ballot box is for Kimbidhoo constituents resident in capital city Malé and will be placed in Aminiyya School.

President Abdulla Yameen has cast his vote for the Local Council Elections 2017

132 constituents for Kaashidhoo have cast their vote. 

There are 10 candidates contesting for the island's council - 3 from the Maldivian Democratic Party, 3 from the Progressive Party of Maldives, and 4 independent candidates. 

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has cited experts to have said that the goverment may rig 20 percent of Saturday's votes.