Elections Commission (EC) revealed statistics that depict more than 4,800 cast ballots as null, in the parliamentary elections held on April 6.
EC's website dedicated to the parliamentary elections indicates that a total of 4,852 votes were invalid. In contrast, the 2018 presidential elections concluded with 3,132 null votes.
Velidhoo constituency produced the highest number of invalid votes in the parliamentary elections, with a total of 170 annulled votes.
A considerable factor to the high number of invalid votes is contributed by the amendment to Elections (General) Act, which nullifies ballots cast with additional drawings and writings, specifically any indications other than the checkmark placed next to the name of the (voter's) chosen candidate.
President of EC Ahmed Shareef, on late Tuesday, noted that the number of invalid votes was lower than expected, attributing his observation to awareness efforts conducted by the Elections Commission.
The electoral watchdog’s statistics show that 80 percent out of all eligible voters had voted in the parliamentary elections, with 105,077 female voters and 107,002 male voters. Total voter turnout was 212,079.
At the time of elections, there were 264,442 people eligible voters from all 87 constituencies.
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) attained a clear lead ahead in the elections. According to the most recently publicised tentative results MDP received 65 parliamentary seats, a historically significant outcome.
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