Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has stated efforts are underway to place ballot boxes at sports grounds and stadiums as 27 polling stations have been added in Male' City for the upcoming local council elections.
Vice President of ECM Ahmed Akram said 169 ballot boxes are placed in Male', with a total of 530 to 560 ballot boxes to be placed across the country for the elections. Akram expressed ECM is working to minimise the amount of time spent in queues at polling stations. He noted it has been decided about 750 to 800 voters will vote for a single ballot box, hence the increase of number of ballot boxes in Male'.
Akram added arrangements will be made to place polling stations in stadiums and grounds in the upcoming elections. He also said the budget proposed for the local council elections and the women development committee elections have been received. However, he said the addition of USD 1.36 million requested due to the amendments to the law have not yet been received by ECM, noting there will be challenges in conducting the elections as arranged if the additional amount is not provided to ECM.
ECM has announced the local council elections will be held on April 4.