International observers of the 2024 parliamentary elections praised the Elections Commission's (EC) conduct of the polls at a press conference on Monday.
Voting from 8 am to 5:30 pm on Sunday and the conclusion of vote counting for all ballot boxes by 9 pm proceeded smoothly. There was no disruption or disturbance of any kind.
Nineteen officials from nine countries observed the elections.
At a press conference by the foreign observers, chief observer Dr. Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi said the arrangements for the election could be counted among the best at an international level.
He lauded all aspects from the arrangement of chairs to the interactions of EC officials with voters at polling stations.
"We saw very civilized people in the election atmosphere. Officials at polling stations addressed people very respectfully and calmly," he said.
An observer from Bhutan commended the EC's arrangements for Maldivians residing overseas to vote as exemplary.
"This is something that is still very difficult in most countries, involving people who live in other countries. We learned that there are challenges in the Maldives as well. But we will share in our countries how the EC carried it out successfully," he said.
The international observers also praised the re-registration effort and voter turnout. Despite a turnout of 75 percent of eligible voters, it was a record low turnout for a parliamentary election. However, international observers noted that it was a relatively good number.
With 93 MPs elected to the 20th People's Majlis, the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) won the elections with 66 candidates who contested on PNC tickets winning seats. Including independent candidates endorsed by the government who won seats, the figure will exceed 70.
