Transparency Maldives says runoff polling arrangements good
Observers concluded that the polling stations were set up well, to ensure vote secrecy in 96% of the stations.
By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
Transparency Maldives has said that the voting arrangements for the second round of the presidential election taking place on Saturday are good.
Voting began at 8am at most polling stations in the runoff, which is being contested by MDP's presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and PPM-PNC's Dr Mohammed Muizz. Apart from Transparency, NGOs and foreigners are also observing elections across the country.
Transparency Maldives said in a statement that the election arrangements were good, outlining some observations:
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All polling stations opened by 8am; 94.3% of polling stations opened within the first 10 minutes of the required opening time, and 5.4% of the polling stations opened between 8:10-8:30 am
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Nearly all polling station officials were in place at all polling stations
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The materials required for voting were present, the ballot papers were counted and reconciled at all polling stations, and all ballot boxes were verified as empty at the start of the voting process
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Candidates were well represented at polling stations. Observers from PPM/PNC coalition present at 85% of the polling stations while 74% of polling stations had observers from MDP/AP coalition
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Police were operating outside at 97% of the observed polling stations at the opening time
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Observers concluded that the polling stations were set up well, to ensure a secret vote in 96% of the stations
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Transparency noted that this was less clear in about 4% of all cases observed; these polling stations will be closely watched by their observers
Unlike previous elections, the booths in the first round of the presidential election on 9th of this month were set up so that observers and monitors could see the voter's movements. The Elections Commission has been criticised for neglecting the secrecy of the vote.
The Elections Commission has changed the design of the polling booths to maintain the secrecy of the vote.
