Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has stated plans to conduct the local council elections in March have not changed yet.
Speaking to PSM News regarding claims that elections can no longer be held in March, President of ECM Ahmed Shareef said there is no obstacle yet to conduct the elections in March. Shareef noted holding the elections in March will be possible unless the government decides to extend the State of Public Health Emergency, which expires on January 5. He added ECM will continue preparations to conduct the elections in March unless the State of Public Health Emergency is extended.
The local council elections were initially scheduled to be held on April 4, 2020. 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.
The Special Act on Local Council Elections was ratified by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in May, allowing the elections to be postponed. The Act 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.