The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has set a USD7.8 million budget for the 2023 presidential election.
Secretary General Hassan Zakariyya said that ECM has completed efforts to formulate the budget and is holding discussions with the Ministry of Finance and relevant institutions to finalise it. He said the highest expenditure for the presidential election will go towards travel to the atolls and abroad.
ECM estimates that USD7.8 million will be needed to hold the election after taking into account a situation in which two rounds might have to be held. As such, the electoral body estimates that USD6.2 million will be needed for the first round and USD1.6 million will be needed for the second round.
Meanwhile, various political parties have begun preparations for the upcoming presidential election. As such, some parties have announced candidates while other parties plan to choose candidates through an internal election or during the party congress.