Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has revealed an additional 2,340 officials are still required for the upcoming local council elections.
Speaking at a press conference, President of ECM Ahmed Shareef said the commission has been facing difficulties in acquiring polling officials, noting the commission has thus far been able to acquire 4,041 officials including civil servants working in islands. He said an additional 2,340 officials are still required, adding discussions are being held with political parties and government institutions to acquire more officials.
Speaking further, Shareef requested all interested individuals to submit their application to become an official for the council elections, noting ECM no longer prohibits members of political parties from becoming polling officials. He added officials will be distributed across polling stations such that one station is not dominated by members of one party.
The president of ECM revealed the allowances allocated for polling officials have also been increased, with the chief official at a polling station allocated USD 116, assistant to the chief official allocated USD 103 and common officials allocated USD 96. He called for public support in conducting the local council elections.
The local council elections are scheduled to be held on April 4.