The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has revealed that members of women's development committees (WDCs) in three islands have been elected uncontested.
WDC members were elected to represent Maaungoodhoo in Shaviyani Atoll, Meedhoo in Raa Atoll, and Vaadhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. The members were elected 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.
ECM has postponed the by-elections to June 17 for 10 WDCs. Of the 10 islands, only one candidate contested for the WDCs representing Maaungoodhoo, Meedhoo, and Vaadhoo, and those candidates were elected uncontested. Therefore, the by-election is scheduled to be held in six islands.
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.