Turnout Rises as Polls Near Closing Time

The number of voters continues to increase as polling nears its closing time.

By 2pm, 44 percent of eligible voters — 131,947 people — had cast their ballots, according to Election Commission Chairman Mohammed Zahid. He urged all remaining voters to join the queue before 4pm, noting that the commission has no intention of extending polling hours.

“There is one hour left to vote. My appeal is to get in the queue before 4pm. Anyone in line before the deadline will be allowed to vote,” Zahid told PSM.

The EC says 30 complaints have been submitted so far. Voting is continuing without major issues at all polling stations.

In the 2021 local council elections, 273,128 people were eligible to vote.
Turnout reached 67 percent, or around 182,995 voters.