Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has expressed hope of conducting the local council elections in March 2021.
Speaking on the ongoing preparations for the elections, President of ECM Ahmed Shareef said the commission is currently working on finalising an exact date for the elections, despite the challenges and difficulties faced due to COVID-19. Noting the Special Act on Local Council Elections requires ECM to announce the election date within 7 days after the State of Public Health Emergency is lifted, Shareef said ECM is working on scheduling the elections before the specified period in order to ensure preparations can begin in advance. He said the commission is hopeful of conducting the elections during the first week of March next year.
The head of the electoral body said the schedule for the elections will be finalised with consideration on the duration given for candidates to campaign. He said the law specifies a minimum duration of 28 days for candidates to conduct their campaign.
The local council elections were initially scheduled to be held on April 4, 2020. However, following the declaration of the State of Health Emergency in the Maldives on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the elections were first postponed to April 18, which was the latest date to hold the elections according to the law. ECM later made the decision to postpone the elections indefinitely, as COVID-19 continued to spread in the country.
The Special Act on Local Council Elections was ratified by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in May, allowing the elections to be postponed. The Act states the elections can only be held after health authorities lift the State of Health Emergency and guarantee there is no risk in conducting the elections.
Meanwhile, 49 candidates who applied to contest in the local council elections have withdrawn their candidacy since the election was postponed. As such, 16 candidates from Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), 7 candidates from Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), 6 candidates from Jumhooree Party (JP) and 20 independent candidates have withdrawn their candidacy.