Parliament Election, 21 April 2024

Heatwave, March-April 2024 

Starting March 2024, the Maldives experienced extreme heat with record-breaking temperatures during the tail end of the El-Nino phenomenon (Borenstein, 2024; Shareef, 2024). At the beginning of the heatwave temperatures were expected to hit 33 degrees Celsius with “feels like” temperatures of 43 degrees Celsius due to the humidity (Azeez, 2024). Ultimately, however, “feels like” temperatures reached a record breaking 46.3 degrees Celsius during the first week of April 2024 (Atoll Times, 2024). During this time, the Maldives Meteorological Service warned tourists and residents in the Maldives to exercise caution in extreme temperatures (Azeez, 2024). Additionally, the heatwave arose during the sacred month of Ramadan which could have severely exasperated health issues leading to heat exhaustion and heatstroke (Maldives Financial Review, 2024). The World Weather Attribution (WWA) attributes the increased temperatures across South and South-East Asia to human induced climate change (WWA, 2024). According to the WWA, because of climate change, extreme temperatures are 45 times more likely to occur in 2024 (WWA, 2024).  

Impact on electoral processes 

The Maldives parliamentary elections took place on 21 April 2024 with an average temperature of 87.6-degree Fahrenheit (31-degree Celsius) with a max temperature of 91-degree Fahrenheit (32.7-degree Celsius) (WU 2024).  

In Malé City, the warmest region in the country, the “feels like” temperature reached 44.2 degrees Celsius with an actual temperature of 32.7 degrees. The "feels like" temperature around the country was recorded as 41 degrees by the Maldives Meteorological Service. Voters were seen standing in lines outside of polling stations with umbrellas and hats to try and avert the heat (Hussain, H., 2024; SunOnline International, 2024). The “feels like” temperature shows how the temperature feels to humans, by combining relative humidity with the air temperature (National Weather Service, n.d.). 

During the election period, the Maldives Metrological Service (MET) advised residents to avoid strenuous activities from 11 am to 3 pm known as the hottest hours in the day (Avas 2024, Azeez, 2024). The MET also advised residents to stay hydrated, to seek out air-conditioned spaces or shaded areas and wear loose, lightweight clothing.  

Changes in procedures 

Ahead of election day, in response to difficulties faced by voters in the event of rain or heat, the Maldives Election Commission extended the end of the voting time for the parliamentary elections from 4 pm to 5:30 pm (Shareef, 2024).  

Voter turnout   

The April 2024 Maldives elections saw a significant decrease in voter turnout in comparison to the last parliamentary elections. On 21 April 2024, the voter turnout was 73.91% - an 8% decrease from the voter turnout during the last parliamentary elections that took place on 01 January 2019 which was 81.32% (International IDEA, n.d.).