Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has revealed a record number of resorts have requested to place ballot boxes for the upcoming Local Council Elections (LCE) and Women’s Development Committee Elections (WDCE).
Speaking to PSM News on the ongoing preparations for the elections, ECM President Ahmed Shareef said 135 resorts have requested ballot boxes for the elections. Noting ECM previously practiced the policy of not placing ballot boxes in resorts where fewer than 50 people are registered to vote, Shareef said this policy cannot be practiced for the upcoming election as the HPA regulations do not allow resort employees to travel without quarantine. Therefore, he said in order to ensure every citizen is granted the right to vote, ballot boxes must be placed in every resort which provides voting arrangements.
Shareef noted only 35 resorts had requested ballot boxes for the election which was originally scheduled to be held in April last year. He noted 135 resorts represent a good coverage, considering there are about 150 operational resorts, with some resorts facilitating travel between resorts under the same management.
The delayed LCE and WDCE are scheduled to be held on April 10 this year. Voter re-registration has been opened until March 11.