AGENCIES
Maldives is set to vote on Saturday to elect representatives for 19th parliament. The month-long campaign for elections ended this evening with all parties and candidates holding their final rallies and meetings.
Polling will begin tomorrow at 8 AM local time and will continue till 4 PM. Counting of votes will be held after the polling and preliminary results are expected on Sunday.
A total of 386 candidates are in the fray for 87 seats including former President Mohamed Nasheed and parliamentary speaker Qasim Ibrahim.
The main contest is between Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) led by former President Mohammed Nasheed and opposition coalition led by former President Abdulla Yameen.
MDP led by Mr Nasheed is contesting in the majority of 85 seats while the main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives and its coalition partner People’s National Congress is contesting 45, the ruling coalition’s Jumhooree Party in 41, 10 from the Labour Party and 9 from the ruling coalition’s Adhaalath Party.
The current election results will have bearing on the stability of government under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
President and Mr Nasheed are calling for MDP majority in parliament to ensure the government remains stable.
Mr. Solih won the Presidential election last September as coalition candidate of four parties including MDP.