Foreign observers have started arriving in the Maldives to observe Sunday's parliamentary elections.

The Election Commission (EC) has announced that foreign observers have started arriving in the Maldives to observe the parliamentary elections. They were also given information sessions on how to conduct the parliamentary elections.

The EC has invited 20 representatives from 10 countries and 10 representatives from five international organizations to observe the parliamentary elections. They will observe the election and publish a report on their observations.

The Election Commission had earlier said that 9,900 people would be deployed as observers, monitors and representatives.

A total of 284,663 people are eligible to vote in the parliamentary elections. They are 145,302 males and 284,663 females. 602 ballot boxes will be set up for the election. There are 181 polling stations in the city, 51 in Hulhumale and nine in Villimalé. 319 polling stations are set up in the Atolls.

Unlike other years, this year members are elected to 93 constituencies. A total of 369 candidates are contesting the election. There are 326 male candidates and 43 female candidates.