COLOMBO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday declared April 21, the day of parliamentary elections, and the day after as a public holiday.
The Election Commission of the Maldives had earlier requested the president to declare the polling day a public holiday due to the significant involvement of government employees and the public in various election-related activities.
The parliamentary election was originally scheduled for March 17, which falls within the first week of Ramadan, but was postponed by parliament, according to local media reports.
Maldivian elections are usually held on Saturdays, but April 21 is a Sunday, the beginning of the working week in the Maldives, while most election officials are full-time staff at government institutions. ■