Voting is underway across the Maldives for three significant national processes: the Local Council Elections, the Women’s Development Committee Elections, and a nationwide referendum aimed at assessing public opinion on aligning Presidential and Parliamentary elections on the same day.

Polling began at 8:00 a.m. and will continue until 4:00 p.m., according to the Elections Commission.

Authorities clarified that although polling stations will officially close at 4:00 p.m., voters already in queue by that time will still be allowed to cast their ballots.

A total of 294,876 eligible voters are participating in today’s electoral process, including 144,506 women and 150,370 men.

To ensure smooth voting operations nationwide, 582 ballot boxes have been deployed across the country.

Security personnel have also been stationed at polling locations to maintain order and safeguard the integrity of the elections.

Voters are required to present a valid form of identification when casting their ballots.

Accepted documents include a National Identity Card, passport, passport card, or driving licence.

In addition, voters are permitted to carry only a standard blue-ink pen into polling stations.

Strict regulations are in place regarding items allowed inside polling centres. Handbags, files, and any electronic devices capable of recording audio or video are prohibited.

Each voter will be issued three ballot papers, depending on their place of residence.

These include ballots for city or island council elections, Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections, and the national referendum.

The ballot types vary as follows:

- City council ballot paper

- City Women’s Development Committee (WDC) ballot paper Island council ballot paper (for populations exceeding 2,000)

- Island council ballot paper (for populations under 2,000)

- Island Women’s Development Committee (WDC) ballot paper (for populations exceeding 2,000)

- Island Women’s Development Committee (WDC) ballot paper (for populations under 2,000)

- Referendum ballot paper (public opinion poll)

The Elections Commission had earlier confirmed that no ballot boxes would be placed overseas, citing insufficient registration numbers among Maldivian citizens residing abroad to meet the required threshold.