The Election Commission of Maldives (ECM) has stated that the internal primary elections held by the two largest political parties in the Maldives, in preparation for the upcoming local council elections, were transparent, democratic, peaceful and smoothly conducted.
The commission said the conduct of these primaries demonstrates the strengthening of the Maldives’ multi-party democratic system.
The two largest political parties, the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), held highly competitive internal elections ahead of the April local council elections.
Commenting on the process, Election Commission member Hassan Zakariyya said that, as the regulatory body for political parties and an observer of the process, the commission witnessed both parties setting a strong example.
He said the internal elections held to nominate candidates for the upcoming local council elections show that internal party democracy is strengthening within the Maldives’ multi-party system. He added that the elections were conducted in line with democratic principles.
The Election Commission further stated that internal elections held across different parts of the country were conducted in a competitive environment, with only minimal issues reported.
The Election Commission is currently working to conduct the local council elections and Women’s Development Committee elections in April. The commission has urged political parties and candidates to cooperate to ensure the process is completed safely and within the stipulated timeframe.