The Elections Commission (EC) has extended voting hours for today’s nationwide polls to 5:00 p.m., citing extreme weather conditions and continued congestion at polling stations.
The decision comes as voters across the country participate in the Local Council Elections, Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections, and a national referendum, with large crowds reported at polling centres throughout the day.
Originally scheduled to close at 4:00 p.m., polling stations will now remain open for an additional hour to allow more voters to cast their ballots.
Heat and Turnout Drive Extension
Authorities said the move was prompted by a combination of intense heat and long queues, which slowed the voting process in several areas.
Earlier in the day, data from the Maldives Meteorological Service showed that Malé recorded a “feels like” temperature of over 37°C, with similarly high heat index levels across other regions.
Despite the challenging conditions, turnout remained strong, with significant numbers of voters continuing to queue at polling stations into the afternoon.
Final Opportunity for Voters
Officials said the extension is intended to ensure that those who were unable to vote earlier due to the weather or long waiting times are given an opportunity to do so.
Voters have been urged to make use of the extended hour and head to polling stations before the revised closing time.
Today’s vote is one of the most significant in recent years, combining three separate ballots into a single day of polling, placing additional pressure on both voters and election infrastructure.
The Elections Commission said it continues to monitor the situation nationwide as the extended voting period progresses.
