Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has decided to name district councils elected in cities with numbers, replacing the current names given to the councils.
Speaking to PSM News, President of ECM Ahmed Shareef said numbers will be allocated to the district councils in the upcoming local council elections instead of using the names given to the constituencies by the parliament. For example, Hulhumale’ Council will no longer be called by the name and rather it will be called Male’ City-18, said Shareef adding district councils in Addu City and Fuvahmulah City will also follow suit.
He further said the numbering system is not based on the proximity of the constituencies, and the constituencies might constitute areas from two different wards. Shareef said the voters' list for the upcoming council elections will be publicised the coming week. The draw to decide council slots for women will also be taken the coming week and the draw will be broadcast live, according to the president of ECM.
The recently ratified amendments to the decentralisation act allocates 6 constituencies in Male for women while 4 and 2 seats of constituencies must be allocated for women in Addu and Fuvahmulah Cities respectively. 980 councillors will be elected in to city, atoll and island councils in the upcoming local council elections to be held on April 4 next year.