The Parliament of the Maldives has accepted the amendment bill which proposes to extend the deadline to submit presidential candidacies. The bill was accepted for consideration with 52 votes in favour.
The amendment was submitted by Parliamentarian Ibrahim Shareef on behalf of the government. The proposed amendment to the Presidential Election Act seeks to extend the period given to submit candidacies from 10 days to 14 days.
The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has already announced that it will open to submit candidacies from July 23 to August 3 in accordance with the existing law. However, candidates will be provided with 14 days from July 23 if the amendment is passed.
Additionally, ECM is working to publish the regulations of the presidential election in the Government Gazette latest by April before the registration process starts. The voters' list will be announced on May 2 followed by a period of 30 days given to file complaints regarding the list. ECM will also give a period of 21 days for re-registration.