Maldives to hold presidential election on Sept 23

MALE - The Maldivian Elections Commission announced on Friday that the presidential election of the island country will be held on Sept 23 this year.

The commission also requested the government to declare Sept 23 as a special day.

Elections Commissioner Ahmed Shareef said the poll day falls on Sunday and all political parties must make necessary arrangements.

Filing of nominations will open from July 15 to July 27 while listing the final candidates will be held on Aug 9.

Shareef said the Elections Commission had already started compiling the voters registry and identifying locations to place ballot boxes.

The location of ballot boxes will be officially announced next month.

The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives said last month that the party's presidential candidate for the upcoming election will be incumbent President Abdulla Yameen.

Former home minister Umar Naseer has announced his intention to stand for the election and has already launched his campaign as an independent candidate.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed also applied to contest the election, but his nomination was rejected by the commission as he faces terrorism charges.

The Elections Commission said last month that anyone convicted of a criminal offence could not legally contest in a political party's presidential primary, warning that such elections would be annulled.