The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has officially announced the commencement of a public complaint period regarding the registered ballot boxes for the upcoming local council elections scheduled for 4 April.
This critical window allows all eligible voters to review and challenge their designated polling station information to ensure a smooth and accurate voting process.
The registry, which covers both the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections and the public referendum 2026, is now open for complaints. The ECM has set a deadline for the submission of all complaints for 4 March at 1:30 pm. Voters who identify discrepancies in their assigned ballot box location are urged to file their grievances online through the Commission’s main portal at my.elections.gov.mv.
To facilitate verification, voters can conveniently check their registration details via SMS by texting 1414 or by visiting the Commission’s dedicated registration portal at pprvr.elections.gov.mv.
The ECM also released an updated voter registry, confirming that 294,937 individuals are eligible to cast their ballots, comprising 144,527 women and 150,410 men. A significant 26,454 people have completed re-registration for these elections, a process that has led to 21 resorts qualifying to host their own polling stations due to sufficient registered voter numbers.
The 4 April polls will see 2,960 candidates vying for 626 island councilor and 52 city councilor positions, with an equal number of seats available on women’s development committees.
The election is contested by six parties, with the ruling Progressive National Congress (PNC) fielding the most candidates at 1,322, followed by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) with 905. Other participants include the Jumhooree Party (JP) contesting 15 constituencies, the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) with 57 seats, and the Adhaalath Party contesting nine seats. A substantial 644 candidates are running as independents.