Election Commission of Maldives (ECM) has announced that all nomination forms for the upcoming local council and women’s development committee elections must be submitted digitally through its main portal, marking the first time paper forms will not be accepted.
According to ECM Assistant Director Vishah Saeed, this digital-only mandate is designed to streamline submissions and enhance efficiency. The portal will serve as a centralised hub where candidates can simultaneously submit their forms, criminal records, and debt clearance documents. These necessary records can be acquired online via the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) and Maldives Correctional Service portals, with tax clearance available from the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (IRA).
The new system also revolutionises the process for independent candidates. Instead of manually collecting endorsement signatures, they will now submit their form first and then send digital support requests through the portal to their endorsers. To ensure a smooth transition, the ECM will open the portal and release a detailed guide ahead of the official nomination period. Candidates can pre-fill and save their forms, but can only finalise submission when the EC officially opens the window.
Vishah assured the public that all electoral activities will remain transparent and that the ECM has coordinated with the National Center for Information Technology (NCIT) to promptly address any technical issues. He emphasised that the verified digital identification ‘e-Faas’ login system guarantees the authenticity of applicant information and upholds the principle of equal opportunity to contest elections.
This digitisation initiative, which began during the 2023 presidential election for officials and observers, is a key step in the ECM's broader modernisation agenda. The change aims to provide greater convenience for both applicants and commission staff, especially given the large scale of local council elections.
Additionally, political parties will be able to track their candidates' performance through the online ‘Simedha’ portal. The ECM is now actively working to familiarise all political parties with this new digital submission process.