The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has commenced preparations for the upcoming local council and women's development committee elections, scheduled for April 2026. Underscoring the scale and significance of these elections, ECM President Mohamed Zahid noted that they typically involve the largest number of candidates contesting nationwide.
In an exclusive interview with PSM News, Zahid detailed the commission's ongoing efforts to compile essential data for determining electoral districts, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks. He confirmed that work is progressing on necessary amendments to electoral laws to improve efficiency.
A major hurdle in preparing for the elections, according to Zahid, is the difficulty in securing an adequate venue for operations. He acknowledged the specific challenge of finding a location to serve as the election centre. "At present, Dharubaaruge is unavailable, and the former Jamaluddin School building is no longer an option," Zahid stated, citing difficulties in securing space within Malé. Beyond addressing logistical constraints, the commission is actively exploring strategies to optimise resources by minimising staffing needs and operational workload.
A key focus of ECM's preparations is reducing costs through the adoption of digital solutions. Zahid affirmed that the commission is assessing various components of the electoral process to determine which aspects can be digitised to enhance efficiency. "Our objective for the April 2025 election is to digitise all aspects except for the actual voting and vote-counting process," Zahid explained, noting that this initiative aims to improve accessibility and convenience for citizens. Additionally, ECM will collaborate with political parties to strengthen the country's democratic system, he added.