Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has begun accepting candidates for the presidential election.
ECM will be accepting candidates until August 7, 1400hrs. The electoral body will accept candidacy forms at its main headquarters at Dharubaaruge' convention centre every day from 0900hrs to 1400hrs every day, and from 1400hrs to 1600hrs on Fridays.
ECM will accept applications from eligible Maldivian citizens who meet specific criteria. To be eligible, applicants must have Maldivian parents and follow the Sunni Muslim faith. They should be at least 35 years old and possess sound mental health. They must not have any outstanding debts and should not have been convicted of a criminal offense with a sentence exceeding twelve months. If such a conviction occurred, at least three years must have passed since the completion of the sentence or the pardon. In addition, applicants should not have been convicted of offenses prescribed in Islam or offenses related to fraud or corruption.
The Elections General Act requires every candidate to appoint an official electoral agent before contesting the election. ECM stated that candidates will be able to spend their funds on the campaign by opening an account in the name of the candidate. The account form is also included in the candidacy form. The electoral body advised candidates to open a dedicated newly opened bank account in the name of the candidate at a bank operating in the Maldives to cover all election-related expenses. The Auditor General's Office will also issue special guidelines to ensure that candidates' expenditures are transparent.
The presidential election is scheduled to be held on September 9 and a possible second round will be held on September 30. The eligible voting population for the presidential election is 282,672 voters and ECM has decided to place 604 ballot boxes for the election.