Elections timeline shared with parties

Elections Commission (EC) has shared the timeline for the 4th April local council and women’s development committee elections.

The commission shared the details with members of the National Committee that advises on the conduct of elections.

According to the timeline, the next step in the process will be voter re-registration. The draw and announcement of candidate names are scheduled for the second week of February, after which campaigning will be permitted.

EC said the final voters list will be released in the first week of March, with candidates and their representatives expected to sign the list in the second week of the month.

While the commission said the timeline had been shared with the National Committee, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said on Sunday that the information had not yet been formally announced.

The party’s spokesperson for the April elections, former Dhidhdhoo MP Abdulla Waheed, said the lack of a publicly disclosed timeline created space for potential interference in the electoral process. He alleged that some candidates were being approached and encouraged to withdraw with inducements.

“Without disclosing the timeline, we do not know the final deadline for candidates to withdraw their nominations,” Waheed said.

“While it has been noted that withdrawals can be made until the draw, Elections Commission has not specified when this will take place.”

A total of 2,994 candidates are contesting the local council and women’s development committee elections scheduled for 4 April, the majority of whom are contesting on behalf of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).