Election Commission of Maldives (ECM) has announced that the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) has fielded the highest number of candidates for the upcoming local council and women’s development committee elections scheduled for April.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, Election Commission Vice President Abdul Rahman Salaah Rasheed said the Commission has completed processing all candidacy forms submitted during the nomination period and informed candidates of their status.
According to the Election Commission of Maldives, six political parties are contesting the local council elections. The Commission has accepted 1,210 candidates from political parties and 401 independent candidates, bringing the total number of eligible candidates to 1,611. A total of 678 councillors will be elected to local councils. The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) is contesting the highest number of seats, fielding 665 candidates.
Candidates contesting local council elections:
People’s National Congress (PNC): 665
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP): 495
Maldives Development Alliance (MDA): 31
Jumhooree Party (JP): 8
The Democrats: 8
Adhaalath Party (AP): 3
For the women’s development committee elections, the Election Commission said 1,611 candidacy forms were submitted, of which 1,383 were accepted. Of the accepted candidates, 1,116 are representing five political parties, while 267 candidates are contesting as independents.
A total of 678 members will be elected to women’s development committees nationwide. The PNC is again contesting the highest number of seats, with 658 candidates.
Candidates contesting women’s development committee elections:
People’s National Congress (PNC): 658
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP): 417
Maldives Development Alliance (MDA): 28
Jumhooree Party (JP): 7
Adhaalath Party (AP): 6
The Election Commission said candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations before the draw of candidate numbers. Abdul Rahman Salaah Rasheed said the draw is expected to take place around the February 12-13.
The Commission announced that a total of 2,993 candidates will contest the combined local council and women’s development committee elections. It noted that the figures would change only if candidates voluntarily withdraw or if a court orders the acceptance of a previously rejected candidacy.
The local council and women’s development committee elections are scheduled to be held in April 4. Under the elections, 626 councillors will be elected to island councils and 52 councillors to city councils, with the same number of members to be elected to women’s development committees.
294,937 people are eligible to vote, including 144,527 women and 150,410 men, according to the Election Commission.