The Elections Commission (EC) has announced that voting in the presidential election on September 7 will begin at 7:30am and close at 4:00pm to minimise possible disturbances, reports local media.
EC President Fuwad Thowfeek told local media that the voting times were decided based on past experiences and police advice.
“Police gave that advice from the time of the parliamentary elections. They advised us to conduct voting at the earliest possible hours,” Thowfeek told CNM.
The EC has noted most disturbances occur after sunset and early voting was also the procedure followed during the by-elections, he added.
Previously, people lined up at 7:30am and had to wait since the polls opened at 8:00am, said Thowfeek
“So when we shift the opening time to 7:30am, they can vote early. This will prevent crowding,” he explained.
