On the invitation of the Election Commission of Maldives, Shri Arun Goel, Election Commissioner, is heading a three-member delegation to oversee the conduct of the Presidential Election in 2023. The first round of the election took place on September 9, 2023, featuring eight candidates, and was held in accordance with Maldives’ electoral laws.
The Electoral Process in Maldives
In line with the Election Laws of Maldives, the President is directly elected by the people for a five-year term through universal and secret suffrage. The voting system employs a majority vote with the first-past-the-post method, requiring the winning candidate to secure a minimum of 50% of the total votes polled, either in one or multiple rounds.
The Election Commission of Maldives comprises a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and three other Commissioners, responsible for ensuring the integrity and fairness of the electoral process. The Presidential Election boasted a total of 2,82,395 eligible electors, with 574 ballot boxes (polling booths) set up for the voting process. Notably, eight overseas ballot boxes were arranged to facilitate the participation of Maldivian citizens residing abroad.
Delegation’s Observations
Led by Election Commissioner Mr. Arun Goel, the delegation, which included Mr. Ajay Bhadoo, Deputy Election Commissioner, and Mr. Pramod Kumar Sharma, Principal Secretary, visited 22 polling booths located in Male and Hulhumale. During their visit, they observed the polling process, scrutinized the system and procedure of voter registration and identification, and assessed the logistical arrangements of polling booths. The delegation also took note of several initiatives undertaken by the Maldivian Election Commission to ensure a smooth electoral process.
International Observer Participation
In addition to the Indian delegation, international observers from various countries and organizations also took part in the election observation program, reflecting the international community’s interest in the Maldivian democratic process.
Second Round of Elections
The vote counting for the first round of elections was conducted on the same day, September 9, 2023, As per the results, none of the candidates secured over 50% of the votes. In accordance with Maldives’ election laws, a second round of elections is scheduled for September 30, 2023, which will be contested solely by the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the first election.
The observation of the Maldives’ Presidential Election is a testament to the commitment to transparent and democratic electoral processes, fostering international cooperation and goodwill among nations.
