The voting would continue till 4 P.M after which counting will start. The results are expected to be out by 11 P.M. A high-level Indian delegation consisting of former chief election commissioners J M Lyngdoh, B B Tandon, N Gopalaswami and former High Commissioner of India to Maldives S M Gavai will observe polls in Male, Southern region of Addu atoll and Northern regions of Haa Dhallu and Haa Alifu in North.
A team of Indian Information Technology experts is also working with the Election Commission here to develop software and process for its electoral process which are complicated.
Election Commission of Maldives said it is trying hard to conduct free and fair polls and has involved NGOs like Transparency Maldives among the observers. First multi-party free elections were held in Maldives in 2008 after three-decades of Gayoom's rule in which Nasheed won. He had to resign after remaining in power for four years.
Nasheed's ouster resulted in the elevation of then Vice President Mohammed Waheed as his successor. Nasheed had termed this change of power as coup and has spoken number of times to bring alleged perpetrators to book if he wins.
According to Constitution provisions adapted by the country after first democratic elections in 2008, mid-term polls cannot be conducted. The new President has to be elected before November 11 this year.
