Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has announced the local council elections (LCE) and women’s development committee (WDC) elections cannot be held within the obligatory period specified under the Decentralisation Act.
The elections were originally scheduled to be held on April 4 but were postponed to April 18 following the declaration of State of Public Health Emergency in the Maldives. Due to the escalating situation of COVID-19 in the Maldives and around the world, the health emergency has now been extended until the end of April.
ECM stated April 18 is the latest date to conduct the elections according to the Decentralisation Act, although conducting the elections during a health crisis would pose a high risk to the safety and well-being of the people of Maldives. Citing the constitutional responsibility of ECM to act in accordance with the national interest, the commission declared the elections cannot be held within the obligatory period specified under the Decentralisation Act. ECM further stated a decision will be made on holding the elections once the public health emergency is lifted or a legislative solution is provided to the matter through the Parliament of Maldives.
ECM had completed most of the preparations for the elections when the public health emergency forced the postponement. A total of 2,435 candidates had applied to contest in the elections which were scheduled for this month.