Political candidates and their representatives began on Tuesday the formal authentication of the national voter registry, a pivotal step in the administration of the upcoming Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections. The signing of the definitive electoral roll will remain open through Thursday to ensure the integrity of the ballot, the Elections Commission of Maldives announced. To facilitate this process, the commission’s designated election centre is operating daily from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with an additional evening session from 9:30 p.m. until midnight.
The national polls, scheduled for 4 April, will require the electorate to cast three distinct ballots for local council representatives, Women’s Development Committee members, and a public referendum. The total electorate encompasses 294,876 eligible voters, demographically comprising 150,370 men and 144,506 women, according to official data. Strict verification protocols have been established for proxies, requiring any representative to present an original identification card and a signed letter of authorisation from the candidate detailing the representative’s full name, permanent address, and national identification number, alongside a copy of the candidate’s identification.
The competitive field has narrowed since the initial filing period, when 2,994 candidates submitted applications. Since the deadline, 67 individuals have formally withdrawn, while another 82 secured their seats uncontested, precluding the need for a vote in those jurisdictions. Following these victories and withdrawals, a finalised roster of 2,845 candidates will actively compete in the elections next month, the regulatory body confirmed.