Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has announced the application to contest in the upcoming local council elections will be opened on February 4.
Speaking to PSM News, Director of ECM Khadeeja Rasha said in accordance to the schedule set by the commission, application to contest in the election will be opened on Febuary 4. Rasha said candidates must ensure they submit the required forms and documents, noting a separate set of forms have been prepared for candidates contesting for the Women's Development Committee (WDC) elections. She said the information of all required documents will be available on the forms.
The director added candidates will receive the 14 days stated by law to submit their candidacy to ECM. She advised all candidates to prepare the required documents in advance to avoid any complications.
A total of 980 councillors will be elected, including mayors to the city councils in Male', Addu, Fuvahmulah and Kulhudhuffushi. Additionally, 929 members will be elected to women's development committees.
According to the voters' list published by ECM, there are 269,623 eligible voters for the election. ECM has been revising some of the electoral regulations in line with the amendments brought to the Decentralisation Act.
While ECM prepares for the election, political parties have been preparing to conduct primaries to finalise the candidates that will represent the party in the election.