Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has announced the decision to postpone the upcoming local council elections (LCE) and women’s development committee (WDC) elections, which were scheduled to be held on April 4.
The decision was made following the declaration of State of Public Health Emergency by the administration over the COVID-19 situation in Maldives. According to ECM, the upcoming elections have been postponed to April 18, following extensive deliberations.
Speaking at the press, President of ECM Ahmed Shareef added preparations of the elections have been completed except dispatching required items for voting. Shareef noted April 18 is the last day the voting can be delayed to according to the law. He added if the public health emergency is further stretched by Ministry of Health, ECM will act accordingly and request at court for a solution to determine whether the voting should be further delayed.
ECM will compile a new voters' list and open opportunity for re-registration. ECM said a technical team will hold meetings to identify further steps to be taken.