Voter turnout reached 13.96 per cent within the first two hours of polling in today’s nationwide elections, reflecting a steady start to voting across the Maldives.

Figures released by the Elections Commission of Maldives show that by 10:00 a.m., a total of 41,162 people had cast their ballots, representing 14 percent of eligible voters.

Of those who voted, 24,996 were men and 16,166 were women.

Despite the early participation, the majority of voters had yet to cast their ballots, with 253,714 people, or 86 per cent of the electorate, still remaining.

In total, 294,876 people are eligible to vote in today’s elections, including 150,370 men and 144,506 women.

The Elections Commission has called on voters to turn out early and fulfil their civic duty as polling continues nationwide.