A USD5.8 million budget has been allocated for the 2023 presidential election in the proposed state budget for 2023.
The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) submitted a USD7.8 million budget to the Ministry of Finance, after taking into account a situation in which two rounds might have to be held. As such, the electoral body estimated that USD6.2 million will be needed for the first round and USD1.6 million will be needed for the second round. The 2018 presidential election was the only time a candidate had won after the first round.
ECM stated the highest expenditure for the presidential election will go towards travel to the atolls and abroad. Other large expenditures include training elections officials, printing ballot papers, and other administrative tasks.
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.