Election Commission (EC) Vice President Ismail Habib has said that they are yet to get enough officials for the Presidential Election next month.

Speaking during a press conference held by the EC on Sunday, Habib said the number of officials is not even close to their expectations. Therefore, the registration process has been extended till 1500 hrs on August 15. Habib said the commission has no plans to extend the deadline further.

EC Member Mohammad Zahir said officials were still needed for the election process, adding that they are recruiting more as well. He added that due to a shortage of officials, changes will be made in some places. As such, some of the countries where ballot boxes are to be placed might see the possibility of an increase in ballot boxes.

EC Member Mohammad Asif said 404 ballot boxes and 804 polling booths have been dispatched to the islands through the post. Security boxes will be sent to rural areas in September, he said. Asif said that ballot boxes and polling booths sent abroad will also be sent in the same month.

Replying to questions from reporters, Habib said there was a difference of opinion among the EC members in the past. But now there is no such thing and even if there is a difference of opinion, the election process will not be hampered. It would not be appropriate to share more information about it in the media, he said.

Habib said that there is no legal problem in campaigning for the presidential elections as mayor of Male' City for the PPM/PNC presidential candidate Mohamed Muizzu, and using posters with former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's photo.