Official campaigning started after ballot numbers were assigned on Wednesday to the candidates for the September 9 presidential election.
A record high number of candidates are contesting in the country's fourth multi-party presidential election since the adoption of the 2008 constitution. The eight contenders include independent candidates and candidates from political parties.
Candidate ballot numbers were assigned through a lottery draw at a ceremony held at the election headquarters on Wednesday evening.
The drawing of lots took place in the order in which candidacy forms were submitted to the Elections Commission (EC).
Candidates
- Umar Naseer (independent)
- Hassan Zameel (independent)
- Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Maldivian Democratic Party)
- Dr. Mohamed Muizzu (People's National Congress)
- Qasim Ibrahim (Jumhooree Party)
- Ahmed Faris Maumoon (independent)
- Ilyas Labeeb (The Democrats)
- Mohamed Nazim (Maldives National Party)
More than 280,000 people are eligible to vote in the presidential election. If a second round is required, voting will take place on September 30.
The winning candidate must secure above 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate wins a majority in the first round, a run-off will be held between the first and second-placed candidates.
A total of 604 ballot boxes are to be placed for the polls, including 187 boxes in the Male' region, 319 boxes in the atolls, 78 boxes in resorts, 13 boxes in other countries and seven boxes in jails and industrial islands. Polling stations will be set up in 23 resorts.
