Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has revealed Ministry of Finance has provided the additional finances required to hold the upcoming local council elections and women's development committee elections, following amendments brought to the Decentralisation Act.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, acting Secretary General of ECM Hassan Zakariyya revealed the finance ministry has allocated the budget as proposed by the electoral body. Noting the proposed budget for the elections was USD 4.08 million before the amendments, Zakariyya said an additional USD 1.36 million was required following the passing of the amendments. He stated following the amendments more arrangements were needed to hold the elections which caused a requirement for an increase in budget.
ECM has opened applications to contest in the upcoming local council elections and women's development committee elections from February 4 onwards. Speaking on the programme, Secretary General Zakariyya said applications can be submitted until February 20. He advised to make sure all necessary documents are submitted with the application forms.
The local council elections will see a total of 982 members elected to city councils, atoll councils and island councils. The upcoming elections will be the first ever to combine two elections, as the women's development committee elections will be conducted in parallel with the local council elections, in accordance with the amendments brought to the Local Council Election Act. ECM states a total of 930 members will be elected to women's development committees.
The local council elections, along with the women's development committee elections, will be held on April 4.