Member of Elections Commission Ali Mohamed Manik has said that the ballot papers to be used in the second round of the presidential election, scheduled for Sunday, 10 November, have been sent for printing.
Speaking at a press conference, Manik said that the ballot papers used in the second round will contain the names of all three candidates.
He said that the name of the candidate who comes third in the first round, which will take place on Saturday, 9 November, will be struck off from the ballot papers once the results of the first round are known.
He said that the third name will be removed using a ‘marker’, and that only two names will appear on the ballot papers when the public goes to the polls on Sunday.
He said that it was decided to send the ballot papers for the second round for printing ahead of time, with the name of all three candidates, because it takes a long time to print ballot papers. While it normally takes four days to print all ballot papers, Manik said, they are hoping that Novelty Press can print the papers in two days this time.
Manik said that the commission will start receiving the ballot papers for the second round on Saturday evening.
He said that re-registration for the second round was opened this morning, and 1,500 forms were received within three hours. Only persons who will vote from different locations in the first and second rounds are required to re-register.
President of Elections Commission Fuad Thaufeeg said that Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim has assured that the police will not obstruct the election on Saturday in anyway.
The number of eligible voters for the first round of the presidential election is 239,105; while the number of eligible voters for the second round is 239,153 - an increase of 48 voters.