Malé, September 9, 2023: Polling for the 2023 Presidential Election commenced on Saturday morning. The Elections Commission (EC) has confirmed the placement of 574 ballot boxes across the Maldives, with 176 stationed in the Malé region and 8 located abroad. This year marks the largest pool of candidates competing in the presidential race, with 282,395 eligible voters set to decide their fate. Among these voters, 27,006 are casting their ballots for the first time since turning 18. -- Photo: Fayaz Moosa/Nishan Ali | Mihaaru