The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has decided to hold this year’s women’s development committee (WDC) by-elections in June.
The decision was made in accordance with the new amendment to the Local Council Elections Act, which states that by-elections for WDCs are to be held once a year. The amendment changed the previous law requiring the ECM to hold a by-election within 60 days after a WDC member resigns. The amendment allows the ECM to hold an election within 365 days and states that by-elections should be held within 300-365 days of each other.
As such, the ECM will be holding by-elections on June 17 for 10 WDCs. They consist of WDCs representing Gaadhiffushi in Thaa Atoll, Meedhoo in Raa Atoll, and Hoandedhdhoo and Vaadhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. They also include WDCs representing Maamendhoo and Dhiffushi in Kaafu Atoll, Veyvah in Meemu Atoll, Bilehdhoo in Faafu Atoll, Maaungoodhoo in Shaviyani Atoll, and Finey in Haa Dhaalu Atoll.
The amendment to the Local Council Elections Act was ratified to address the concerns of ECM over having to hold back-to-back by-elections for WDCs as members resign from their posts. The electoral body revealed that USD240,000 has been spent on by-elections for local councils and WDCs in the past two years. The amendment is expected to significantly reduce the state expenditure on holding back-to-back elections.