Vote counting is underway in the presidential election as the Maldives decides its leader for the next five years.
Queues at polling stations closed at 4 pm and vote counting will begin 30 minutes after each ballot box is sealed.
According to the live results from Adhadhu's coverage, seven boxes have so far been counted out of 574.
The results show that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih secured four boxes while the main opposition Dr. Mohamed Muizzu won three.
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.
The second round if required will take place on September 30.
The 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)
This year's election sees the highest number of candidates since the adoption of the new constitution in 2008. There were six candidates in 2008, four candidates in 2013 and two candidates in 2018.
Some 143 international observers and 22 monitors will be working across the country for the election.
This is the largest number of international monitors and observers registered for an election in the Maldives.
