The President of the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM), Mohamed Zahid, has said the commission has conducted extensive voter awareness campaigns nationwide as the country prepares for three elections scheduled for 4 April.
Three key votes will be held on the same day: local council elections, Women’s Development Committee elections, and a referendum on a constitutional amendment to hold presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously.
Speaking to the National Advisory Committee for Elections, Zahid said preparations are under way for what he described as one of the largest electoral exercises in the country. He noted that awareness programmes have been carried out through television, radio and digital platforms, while voter information materials, including ballot guides and explanatory booklets, have been distributed across the Maldives.
A total of 6,587 election officials will be deployed on polling day, with training conducted both in person and online in advance of the vote. Coordination teams have been established, along with dedicated coordination centres.
Zahid added that observers and monitors from both the Maldives and abroad will oversee the elections, with information shared regarding the rules to be followed during the voting process.
He said strong emphasis has been placed on security and law enforcement, with police support coordinated ahead of the elections. Special briefing sessions have also been conducted for police, with clear instructions provided.
A total of 294,876 voters are eligible to cast their ballots, with 588 polling stations set up across the country. Each voter will receive three separate ballot papers to ensure proper vote management and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.