ECM Extends Deadline for Media and Broadcasters to Register Designated Voter for Media Commission Election

The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has extended the deadline for media outlets and broadcasters to register their designated voter in the upcoming Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission election.

The election is scheduled to take place on 11 October. Voting will take place from 09:00 to 16:00 on Saturday, with voting set up only in Male’ City.

Registration for designated voters representing media opened on 3 October, with the original deadline set for 16:00hrs on Sunday. However, ECM has now extended the deadline until midnight on Monday, to give adequate time for media outlets to complete the registration process.

In the initial voters’ list publicised by ECM, 353 media were eligible to vote in the Media Commission election, including 18 broadcasters and 335 other media. However, revisions were made the list following complaints, with 18 outlets removed from the list while 64 new outlets were added.

The Media Commission, established under the newly enacted Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, will comprise seven members: three members appointed by the Parliament and four members elected by the media. The election on 11 October will determine the four members elected from among the media: two from among broadcasters and two representing other media outlets.

The deadline for candidate applications closed at 14:00 on Saturday, by which a total of six candidates had submitted their forms. ECM confirmed that of the four applications received for the broadcaster representative seats, the candidacies of three applicants were accepted. One of these three candidates has requested to withdraw from the election.

Meanwhile, two candidates applied for the seats representing other media outlets, with one candidacy accepted and the other rejected.