The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has said 294,937 individuals can vote in the upcoming local council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections scheduled for 4 April.
Publicising the voter list, the commission said 150,410 men and 144,527 women are eligible to vote in the election. The voter list can be accessed on the ECM website, government gazette, and local council secretariats, while polling station information can be requested via SMS.
Any complaints or corrections to be made to the voter list must be informed before 3:00 pm on 18 January. ECM said political parties can submit complaints via the Simedha Portal.
According to ECM, 626 councillors for local councils and 52 for city councils will be elected in the April elections. WDCs will have the same number of members as local councils, with some islands having a total of three councillors and others five councillors.
The number of council members elected to city councils varies by city. While a total of seven councillors will be elected each for Kulhudhuffushi City and Thinadhoo City, Fuvahmulah Council will have nine councillors and Addu City 11. Male’ City will elect 18 councillors.
The ECM has also announced that residents of Hirimaradhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, will vote as part of the Hanimaadhoo constituency in the April elections. This follows the relocation of Hirimaradhoo residents to Hanimaadhoo, as approved by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. All 588 Hirimadhoo residents will henceforth be considered Hanimaadhoo residents, ECM said.