The Elections Commission (EC) on Saturday launched a training‑of‑trainers programme to prepare officials who will oversee the upcoming Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections.
According to the EC, the programme will run from Saturday until next Friday at CHSE in Male', with 95 officials participating. The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) is also taking part in the sessions.
The EC said the purpose of the programme is to equip trainers who will then instruct polling station officials across the Maldives and abroad, ensuring voting and administrative procedures are carried out in line with laws and regulations.
Once the trainers complete their sessions, training for the 7,000 polling station officials required for the April 4 elections will begin on the 11th of this month, the EC said. Training in the Male' region will start on the 15th, according to earlier announcements.
ލޯކަލް ކައުންސިލްތަކުގެ އިންތިޚާބާއި އަންހެނުންގެ ތަރައްޤީއަށް މަސައްކަތްކުރާ ކޮމިޓީގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2026 - އޮފިޝަލުން ތަމްރީންކުރުމަށް ހަރަކާތްތެރިވާ ޓްރެއިނަރުންގެ ތަމްރީން ޕްރޮގްރާމު ފެށުމުގެ ރަސްމިއްޔާތުގެ ތެރެއިން#Ecm #LCEWDCE2026 #LCE2026 #WDCE2026 pic.twitter.com/aaIMLlzcet
— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) January 3, 2026
The EC recently concluded recruitment for officials in HR, administration, media and public relations, IT, finance and legal roles, with applications open until December 21.
Political parties have also begun gearing up for the elections. The ruling PNC held its internal primaries late last year, while the opposition MDP is scheduled to hold its primary on the 16th of this month.
Ahead of the polls, Parliament, where the government holds a clear majority, approved changes to the composition of local councils, including reducing the number of councillors in smaller islands and abolishing Atoll Councils.