Training has begun for officials who will oversee polling stations across the atolls as the Maldives prepares for its forthcoming Local Council Elections and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections.
The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has confirmed that 95 trainers have been engaged to prepare an estimated 7,000 election officials who will be deployed nationwide. Training sessions for officials in the Malé region are scheduled to commence on 15 January.
According to the ECM, the programme is designed to equip officials with the essential knowledge and skills required to administer polling stations effectively. This includes guidance on managing voting centres, assisting voters with prescribed procedures, and ensuring the accurate counting and tabulation of ballots. Practical exercises form a key component of the training, allowing participants to apply theoretical knowledge in simulated polling scenarios.
Preparatory training for the trainers themselves was conducted between 3 and 9 January at the Centre for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), with more than 100 participants taking part. The ECM stated that those who completed the programme will subsequently train polling officials both within the Maldives and at overseas voting locations.
The Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections are scheduled to take place on 4 April, marking a significant exercise in local democratic participation across the country.