Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has revealed candidates can compete in the elections of Women's Development Committees (WDC) from political parties and independently.
Vice President of ECM Ahmed Akram said while the local council elections and women's committee elections are scheduled to be held on April 4, candidacies can be submitted early next month.
A candidate competing from a slot allocated for women cannot run for the president of the council, according to ECM. The commission said the National Advisory Committee also decided a candidate cannot run for two positions, adding separate forms must be filled to compete for council presidents, councillors and seats for women.
The amendments to the Decentralisation Act require all councils to allocate 33% of the seats for women. In regard to the amendments, 372 seats from all the island councils are allocated for women. Furthermore, 6 seats from Male' City Council, 4 seats from Addu City Council, 2 seats from Fuvahmulah City Council and 2 seats from Kulhudhuffushi City Council are allocated for women.