Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has announced Local Council Elections 2020 will be held on April 4.
Previously, ECM had announced Local Council Elections will be held in April 2020. With the announcement of the date for the elections, ECM explained the decision was made after securing the finances for the elections in the State Budget 2020.
ECM said a number of changes would be made for the elections, including the increase in ballot boxes. In this regard, ECM said an additional 178 ballot boxes would be placed for elections. ECM estimated the elections to cost the state about USD 4.5 million. The electoral body will open opportunity to submit candidacies during February 2020.
The government has proposed several amendments to the Decentralisation Act, including the decision to extend the term of councils to 5 years from 3 and the proposal to allocate 33% of all councils to women. Amendments to empower councils include the provision of 5% of total annual budgets, warranting councils the income it generates from sources under its jurisdictions in addition to permitting the councils the rental incomes from lands. The amendments also propose mayors and presidents of councils to be elected through a public vote.
The bill is currently being evaluated by Parliamentary Committee on Decentralisation.