The Election Commission has officially commenced the crucial phase of tallying votes following the closure and sealing of vote boxes in today's parliamentary elections.

As the tallying of votes continues, preliminary results indicate that the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PNC) has secured 50 out of the 93 seats contested in the parliamentary elections.

These early results suggest a significant lead for the PNC as the counting process unfolds, reflecting the party's current standing among voters.

The polling period, running from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, remained steadfast, with no extensions granted, even for those queued up by the deadline.

Across the nation, including Male', a notable surge in voter turnout was observed, indicating robust civic participation.

Final data released by the EC underscores the significance of the voter turnout, with a total of 207,693 ballots cast, representing a substantial 72.96% of the eligible voter populace.

As the country awaits the final outcome, the EC has facilitated access to preliminary results through a dedicated link and QR code, providing citizens with real-time updates on the electoral process.