Voting has officially commenced to elect city mayors and council members, alongside a referendum on whether presidential and parliamentary elections should be held simultaneously.
Polling for these three votes will take place today from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has established 588 polling stations across the country. Each voter will receive three ballot papers, and each must be placed in its designated ballot box. The Commission has implemented streamlined arrangements at every station to ensure a smooth voting process for all citizens.
Permitted items at polling stations:
Voters are only permitted to bring their National Identity Card, passport, passport card, or driving licence, along with a standard blue-ink pen.
It is strictly prohibited to carry handbags, files, or any electronic devices capable of recording audio or video into polling stations.
Each voter receives three ballot papers: key considerations
Types of ballot papers:
- City council ballot paper
- City Women’s Development Committee (WDC) ballot paper
- Island council ballot paper (populations exceeding 2,000)
- Island council ballot paper (populations under 2,000)
- Island Women’s Development Committee (WDC) ballot paper (populations exceeding 2,000)
- Island Women’s Development Committee (WDC) ballot paper (populations under 2,000)
- Referendum ballot paper (public opinion poll)
City Council and City WDC Ballot Papers
For those voting in city council elections, the ballot paper is divided into two distinct sections. One section is designated for electing the city mayor, while the other is for electing a councillor to represent the voter’s specific constituency. In both sections, voters are instructed to mark their choice against the name of only one candidate.
A separate ballot paper is provided for the election of the City Women’s Development Committee (WDC). This ballot is also divided into two sections: one to elect the President of the WDC and another to elect a committee member representing the voter’s constituency. It is important to note that in city council elections, there are no separate seats specifically allocated for women on the council ballot itself.
Ballot Paper for Island Councils and WDCs with populations under 2,000
For islands with a population of fewer than 2,000 residents, the Island Council shall consist of a total of three members. The ballot paper for these constituencies is divided into three distinct sections. In the first section, voters cast their vote for the President of the Island Council. The second section is dedicated to electing a female member to the council, where voters must select one candidate from the pool of female candidates. In the third section, voters select one candidate for the remaining council seat from the list of eligible candidates.
Ballot Paper for Island Councils and WDCs with populations exceeding 2,000
In islands where the population exceeds 2,000 residents, the Island Council shall comprise a total of five members. The ballot paper for these islands is also organised into three sections. The first section is for electing the President of the Island Council. In the second section, voters are required to select two candidates from the pool of female candidates for the designated female council seats. Finally, in the third section, voters choose two candidates for the remaining council member positions from the list of candidates.
If an island’s population is fewer than 2,000, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC) shall consist of five elected members. The ballot paper for this election is divided into two sections. In the first section, voters must select one candidate from those contesting for the position of President of the WDC. The second section instructs voters to select four candidates from the list of individuals contesting for committee membership. It is crucial for voters receiving these ballots to pay close attention to these instructions.
Public Referendum Ballot Paper
This ballot paper features a question proposed by the President of the Republic to seek public opinion. The question is: “Do you approve the ratification of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for the Presidential and People’s Majlis elections to be held concurrently and for a change to the term of the People’s Majlis?”
The ballot provides two options for response: "Yes" or "No." Voters are instructed to mark only one of these options based on their preference.
For the elections, three categories of ballot papers have been printed. A total of 297,959 ballots were prepared for the local council elections, while 292,706 ballots were printed for the Women's Development Committee (WDC) elections. Additionally, 298,180 ballots have been produced for the national referendum. According to the Elections Commission, a grand total of 888,845 ballot papers were printed for these electoral processes.
In accordance with the law, 33 percent of all council seats are reserved for women. These elections will see the appointment of 626 councilors to island councils and 52 councilors to city councils. Similarly, an equal number of members will be elected to the Women’s Development Committees.