Election Commission of Maldives (ECM) is in the final stages of its largest-ever ballot paper printing operation for the upcoming 4 April polls.
ECM Director Shahula Ismail confirmed that the printing of more than 800,000 individual ballot papers is nearly complete, with between 85 percent and 95 percent of the work already finished. This historic print run is necessary to facilitate a complex electoral event where each of the 294,876 eligible voters will receive three separate papers to cast their votes.
The triple ballot will allow citizens to vote simultaneously in the local council elections, the women’s development committee elections, and a significant national referendum to decide on synchronising the dates of future presidential and parliamentary elections.
To manage this process, a total of 588 polling stations will be established across the nation, each equipped with three separate ballot boxes—one for each vote. The distribution of stations includes 180 in Male’ City, 51 in Hulhumale’, nine in Vilimale’, and 322 throughout the atolls. The ECM will also facilitate voting for specific groups by setting up 21 polling stations in tourist resorts and five in prisons.
Emphasising the integrity of the process, Shahula detailed the rigorous security measures in place. Once printed, every ballot paper is individually checked to ensure an adequate and accurate supply for each polling station. The papers are then securely sealed in special envelopes and placed in sealed boxes for transport. These boxes will only be opened in full view of election observers, monitors, and voters on polling day itself.
The ECM has urged all eligible voters to participate in the democratic process and to take care to deposit each of their three ballot papers into the correct corresponding box.