Former President Abdulla Yameen said today's election will determine the country's political future and urged voters to treat it as a mandatory civic duty. 

After casting his vote in the three elections being held today, Yameen gave an interview to Channel 13. 

In the interview, Yameen called on the people to avoid viewing this election as optional, and to ensure that they come out and vote. 

He emphasized the importance of the vote being taken today, and urged every eligible voter who is physically able to make their way to the polling stations. 

Yameen also criticized the Elections Commission for how today's local council and WDC elections and referendum has been organized. 

He noted that the State, Elections Commission and political parties should have worked collaboratively to encourage people to come out and vote. However, they failed to adequately inform the public about the referendum, as well as the other elections, he said. 

"This has all been done very irresponsibly," Yameen said. 

Yameen also opined that the ballot paper had been designed in a manner that would be confusing to the general public. He said that the referendum must have been made easier to vote in, adding that there are better ways in which this could have been organized. 

Yameen also heavily criticized the Elections Commission to not place ballot boxes abroad, citing a lack of sufficient voter registrations. 

He said that it is a responsibility of the Elections Commission to ensure that Maldivians abroad are able to practice their right to vote. However, irresponsible planning on their part had deprived several Maldivians of the right to vote, Yameen alleged.