The Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions has once again requested the Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) to hold the parliamentary election after the month of Ramadan to give the candidates as much time as possible to campaign.
The parliamentary election coincides with the last days of the month of Ramadan and the ECM has requested the independent institutions committee to amend the law to hold the parliamentary election earlier. However, the committee earlier recommended that the election be held on the earliest possible date after the month of Ramadan as the law provides a 30-day period after Ramadan to hold the election.
ECM has expressed concern over the committee's recommendation. The electoral body stated that it would result in the parliamentary election most likely being held during the Eid holidays, which would significantly reduce the turnout and make it difficult for ECM to hire election officials.
During the last meeting, President of ECM Fuad Thaufeeq noted that the government has decided to make the last 10 days of Ramadan holidays and said it would be challenging to prepare for the election while the relevant authorities such as the finance ministry and education ministry are closed for so many days. He also said that if the election is held after the month of Ramadan, candidates would find it difficult to campaign during Ramadan. He noted that it had received complaints from parties and candidates over a by-election held after the previous month of Ramadan.
However, many members of the MDP-majority committee refused to accept the objections posed by the ECM, claiming that there is no obstacle to holding the parliamentary election the way the committee recommended. Committee Chair Rozaina Adam said that holding the election earlier would result in candidates having little time to campaign. As such, she advised ECM to prepare as early as possible by training officials and transferring the ballot boxes before and during Ramadan.