The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has announced that polling stations will not be established on industrial islands or in foreign countries for the upcoming local council elections, Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections, and the national referendum scheduled for 4 April.
The Commission cited insufficient voter re-registration numbers as the basis for its decision. As of the latest update, 26,454 individuals have re-registered to vote in the elections.
Of these, only 11 voters are from industrial islands including Hulhulé, Thilafushi and Kaadedhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. Overseas re-registration figures also remained low, with 499 voters in Malaysia and 189 in Sri Lanka.
Given the limited numbers, the ECM confirmed that ballot boxes will not be placed at 29 resorts, three major industrial islands or in any international location. The majority of re-registered voters which is 24,429 are from inhabited islands across the atolls.
The Commission stated that individuals residing in excluded areas will be provided an opportunity to change their voting location. Those who do not re-register will be required to vote in their registered island of residence.
A total of 2,960 candidates are contesting in the elections. The People's National Congress (PNC) has fielded 1,322 candidates, while the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has nominated 905. The Jumhooree Party (JP), Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) and Adhaalath Party are contesting 15, 57 and nine constituencies respectively, while 644 independent candidates are also in the race.
Nationwide, 294,937 citizens are eligible to vote, comprising 150,410 men and 144,527 women. The final voter registry will be published following the completion of the re-registration period.
In addition to the local elections, voters will also cast ballots in a referendum on whether to merge presidential and parliamentary elections.