The inaugural session of the National Advisory Committee on Elections has been held with key stakeholders in attendance.
Political parties, including Maldives National Party (MNP), Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), and The Democrats, along with relevant institutions such as Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM), Local Government Authority (LGA), Maldives Media Council, Maldives Broadcasting Commission, and Transparency Maldives, participated in the meeting. Notably, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)/Peoples' National Congress (PNC) did not engage with this committee.
The National Advisory Committee was formed to advise stakeholders on elections. The committee meeting shared the latest updates on the impending electoral process. Discussions centered around tasks at hand and the prospective date for the parliamentary elections.
During the discussions, political parties and relevant institutions recommended that the elections be held as soon as possible after the month of Ramadan.
Speaking at meeting, Vice President of Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) Ismail Habeeb, emphasised the necessity of fixing a date for the parliamentary elections. He acknowledged the absence of a set date posed challenges in the process.
Habeeb pointed out that some aspects of the electoral process are time-sensitive, and changing the law for every election is not a simple task. He mentioned that altering the law would be imperative if the parliamentary elections were scheduled post-Ramadan.
Furthermore, Habeeb shared that the approved voters' list for the parliamentary elections would be announced in early January. He added discussions with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are underway to facilitate online submission of complaints related to the elections.
Habeeb mentioned ongoing scrutiny of the report on the previous presidential election and the analysis of observations from both domestic and international perspectives. Notably, significant changes have been implemented in the design of polling booths for the upcoming election.
Addressing logistical concerns, ECM is working on establishing tents in two areas of the city in case the election coincides with Ramadan.