EC to extend polling time on account of bad weather
Maldives is currently experiencing the waning days of El-Nino as well as the first constellation of the south-west monsoon, so weather can be unpredictable.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to extend the polling time for coming Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
Voting in Sunday's parliamentary elections was previously scheduled to be held from 8 am to 4 pm. The Election Commission on Wednesday decided to extend the time from 8 am to 5:30 pm.
EC member and spokesperson Hassan Zakariya told Atoll Times that the extension was taken due to the weather conditions.
He explained:
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Considering the difficulties faced by voters in the event of rain or heat (Maldives is currently experiencing the waning days of El-Nino as well as the first constellation of the south-west monsoon)
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The National Advisory Committee on the Parliamentary Elections held on Tuesday with political parties and independent institutions were in accord to extend the deadline by 90 minutes
A total of 608 ballot boxes will be set up for this year's parliamentary elections. Overseas polling stations are scheduled to be set up in a total of six countries. One box will be placed in each of these countries.
