EC suspends voter register signing after Maafannu fire

The Elections Commission has suspended the signing process for the final register of eligible voters for the upcoming local council elections following a fire near an election centre in Maafannu.

In a post on X, the commission said the signing by candidates has been halted due to a fire in a warehouse adjacent to the election centre.

“Due to a fire in the warehouse adjacent to the election centre, signatures on behalf of candidates in the final register of eligible voters have been suspended for the time being,” the commission said.

The Elections Commission said a new date for the signing process will be announced.

The fire broke out on Wednesday night at the Prime Godown located at M. Kairge on Fulooniya Magu. The warehouse is used to store fertilisers and chemicals.

Police, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) fire and rescue service, and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) fire units attended the scene.

Authorities said the fire was brought under control after about two hours. Firefighters continued operations as some fire remained inside the warehouse.