Elections Commission said on Wednesday that around 480 ballot boxes would be placed across the country in the upcoming local council elections.
The commission said 651 council members will be elected to island, atoll and city councils in the elections slated for January 14, 2017.
A recent amendment to the Decentralisation Act has slashed the number of council members, which the government says will save over MVR5 million every month in salaries and allowances.
Under the amendment, the number of island council members will be reduced from 925 to 589, while atoll council members will come down from 132 to 70.
The Elections Commission said “nominations for the elections will be opened on October 22, and the exact number of ballot boxes will be decided with the finalisation of the voter registry.”