The Elections Commission of the Maldives (EC) has commenced the closure of ballot boxes following the conclusion of the 2026 Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections, along with a nationwide public referendum. While official voting hours have ended, commission officials confirmed that all individuals remaining in queues at the deadline were permitted to cast their votes before the boxes were formally sealed.

Polling stations across the country opened at 8:00 AM. Although the queues were initially scheduled to close at 4:00 PM, the Elections Commission granted a one-hour extension until 5:00 PM. This decision was made in response to unusually high temperatures during the day, which hindered many citizens from reaching polling stations during peak afternoon hours. Following the 5:00 PM cutoff, no further voters were allowed to join the queues.

Voter turnout was recorded at 63 percent by 4:00 PM. However, with the surge of voters during the extended hour, the Elections Commission anticipates that the final total turnout will exceed 70 percent. Official counting is expected to begin immediately after the final ballots in each station are cast.