Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has extended voting in its chairperson election by 30 minutes due to adverse weather conditions.

The party announced on social media that polling, which was scheduled to close at 8:30 pm, would instead continue until 9:00 pm.

Voting began at 2:30 pm today to elect the party's chairperson for the next five years.

The election is being contested by former President Mohamed Nasheed and Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem.

The vote was marked by a number of incidents on some islands.

In Gaafu Dhaalu Fiyoaree, a ballot box was damaged during a confrontation, while in Faafu Feeali, a man reportedly entered a polling station and took a ballot box to the party's hub on the island.