04 April 2026 – Transparency Maldives appreciates and thanks the 31 observers and volunteers in our observer network based in the Greater Male’ region and 15 other atolls. Without them, this observation effort would not have been possible. Transparency Maldives believes that an independent observation effort promotes greater levels of trust in our electoral processes. Our observers play a crucial role in ensuring the transparency of electoral processes in the Maldives.
Transparency Maldives established an Online Reporting Platform and Call Center to maintain contact with the observers in the field and receive real time updates from them. Our observers collected both qualitative and quantitative data. Our observers were active in a total of 149 polling stations; in the Greater Male’ Area, 134 was observed through mobile observation and across 15 atolls, fully stationed observers observed 15 polling stations. As such, 26 polling stations were observed during the opening and closing process, 117 polling stations were observed during the voting process, and 25 polling stations were observed during the counting process.
General Observations
Transparency Maldives congratulates Maldivian citizens for their participation in the democratic process. While the election day processes were generally transparent, our observers noted issues with election administration and preparedness, and procedural discrepancies in closing and counting of ballot boxes.
- Procedures related to casting of the ballot were followed and no major issues were raised during the voting process at any of the observed polling stations with regards to voting procedures.
- At 44 out of 117 of the polling stations observed in Male’ and Islands, voters took a minimum of over 10 minutes from receiving the queue number to vote and exit and polling station.
- In 20% of the polling stations observed, the secrecy of the ballot was not guaranteed.
- Of the 26 polling stations observed for closing of votes, 21 polling stations were closed between 5:00pm – 6:00 pm, and 5 polling stations closed between 6:00pm – 07:00 pm.
- Voters were in queue at 14 of the 26 polling stations at 5:00 pm when polling stations were scheduled to close. All voters who were in these queues were allowed to vote.
- In all 26 polling stations observed at closing, the ballot box was sealed as required. However, at 6 of the polling stations, the ballot reconciliation was not timely and was only done after a break.
Key Concerns:
- Training of polling officers: Several discrepancies were noted in the process of closing and counting of the votes, which created confusion on electoral proceedings for voters. Such discrepancies highlight a broader weakness in provision of adequate training and preparations of polling officers and awareness provided to the observers and monitors.
- Inclusivity preparedness: Voters with disability who had registered to vote using the template reported incidents where officials lacked the required knowledge to administer the vote for blind and visually impaired voters. In some polling stations, the template was not available despite voters having registered to use it.
- Polling Center selection and arrangements: In Greater Male’ Area, our observers reported voters experiencing distress throughout the voting day, largely as a result of the location and cramped arrangements made at the voting centers. EC must ensure proper assessments are conducted ahead of selecting locations, and due considerations must be given prior to deciding the total number of each polling center.
- Last minute changes to voting times: The EC made a last-minute decision to extend voting with less than five minutes before the scheduled close. According to the EC, this was intended to accommodate long queues of voters and to mitigate the impact of the heatwave, which may have discouraged participation during midday hours. However, as the decision was taken and communicated only minutes before the close of polls, there was insufficient time to inform voters, polling officials, and other electoral stakeholders. Any measures to address the heatwave such as extended voting hours, access to drinking water, public health advisories, or logistical arrangements should have been planned and clearly communicated prior to election day. Making procedural changes during the voting process risks undermining public trust in the institution and the electoral process, while also undermining the effectiveness of voter education.
Transparency Maldives conducted long-term observation from 8th February to 3rd April 2026 and published a Pre-Election Legal Review, highlighting below pre-election shortcomings affecting the conditions under which voters cast their votes:
- Referendum information deficit
- Ballot secrecy at risk
- No campaign finance accountability for local elections
- No campaign finance framework for the referendum
- A ballot question that lacks clarity
- Overseas voters excluded from the Constitutional Referendum
Abuse of State resource misuse remains a major electoral issue, skewing competition and favoring incumbents. Since the start of the campaigns, back-to-back project announcements, rising political appointees, and use of state-owned enterprises deepen patronage networks, threatening fair elections. Frequent changes to infrastructure and socio-economic policies near elections, without transparent planning or consultation, risk inequitable development and unduly influence voter choice.
Disinformation and anti-campaigning are serious concerns during the campaign period. False narratives, smear tactics, and the misuse of media platforms undermine voter confidence and distort the democratic process. We reiterate the need for stronger monitoring, swift countermeasures, and accountability mechanisms to protect voters’ right to make informed, independent choices free from manipulation.
Additionally, there are structural legal concerns within the electoral framework. To address these issues, Transparency Maldives proposed recommendations to the Elections Commission, the Executive, parliament, political parties, observers, and accountability bodies, including improving access to balanced voter information, preventing the misuse of state resources, ensuring meaningful parliamentary processes, strengthening the legal framework, and enhancing transparency in campaign financing.
We congratulate all winning candidates and urge all relevant actors to undertake reforms to the electoral system in order to strengthen its integrity and enhance public confidence in the democratic process in the Maldives.
- ENDS –