President of Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) Ahmed Shareef has revealed discussions are underway to hold the postponed local council elections during early March next year.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, the head of the electoral body stated unofficial discussions among members of ECM have been held regarding the local council elections. He said all the members agreed to hold the elections prior to the beginning of Ramadan next year. He assured a date to hold the elections will be declared within the legal timeline.
The local council elections were initially scheduled to be held on April 4. However, following the declaration of the State of Health Emergency in the Maldives on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the elections were first postponed to April 18, which was the latest date to hold the elections according to the law. ECM later made the decision to postpone the elections indefinitely, as COVID-19 continued to spread in the country.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified a special bill on local council elections, allowing the elections to be postponed. The bill states the elections can only be held after health authorities lift the State of Health Emergency and guarantee there is no risk in conducting the elections. The bill also states the election date must be announced by ECM within 7 days after the health authorities issue the green light to hold the elections.
Furthermore, the bill states the candidates' list for the elections can no longer be altered. The bill states the elections should be held within 1 year since the ratification of the special bill. Therefore, the elections must be held before May 10, 2021.