The Election Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has announced that foreign observers and monitors are welcome to observe the upcoming local council and Women’s Development Committee elections, scheduled for 4 April.
Applications for international observation will be accepted from 18 January to 18 February, and are open to international organisations, foreign institutions, and individuals. Observers must be at least 18 years old and are strictly prohibited from campaigning for any candidate or political party. This move continues the commission’s longstanding practice of ensuring transparency in major electoral processes.
This year’s elections will feature significant digital advancements, including online submission of candidate nominations. A total of 626 councilors will be elected across 133 island councils—three per island, including a council president and a female member—while 46 islands will elect five councilors each, including two women. Additionally, city councils will elect 52 members.
The Women’s Development Committees will mirror the elected membership of local councils in both islands and cities, reinforcing gender representation in local governance.