Election Commission of Maldives (ECM) has revealed it is currently revising constituencies of three cities ahead of the local council elections next year.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, Vice President of ECM Ahmed Akram said the ratification of newly proposed amendments will have a significant impact on the council elections. Akram further said the changes will increase the number of seats in the council in Male' City, Addu City and Fuvahmulah City with the addition of constituencies in the three cities. He said officials from the commission will travel to the cities and identify the constituencies with the city councils.
The vice president of the electoral body said between 10,500 and 13,500 officials are needed to manage the elections, which is considerably a higher number of officials as compared to previous elections. Akram further said voters will be provided with 5 ballot papers and they will have to register 5 votes separately to elect council members, presidents or mayors, atoll council members and atoll council presidents. The voters will also elect the Women's Development Committee of the islands. He also added the number of ballot boxes will increase between 700 and 1,000 while each of these boxes will collect additional 3,500 ballot papers.
Furthermore, Akram said the placement of ballot boxes will also change and the commission will consider keeping boxes in a place where more people can be accommodated. He said setting up tents could allow them to accommodate more people in open areas which will be a new practice in Maldives.
Additionally, Akram highlighted on the time it will take to count the votes as well. He said the process will take about 16 hours if one ballot box is used and in order to ease the process for the people, more boxes will be used to reduce the time that takes to announce the results…
ECM informed opportunity to submit candidacy will be opened on February 4 while the elections will be held on April 4.