Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has revealed it received a total of 208 complaints regarding the Local Council Elections (LCE) and Women's Development Committee Elections (WDCE) held on April 10.
At a press conference, President of ECM Ahmed Shareef revealed plans to recount 11 ballot boxes although most of the complaints were based on hearsay and submitted without evidence. The ballot boxes are from Madifushi and Dhiyamigili in Thaa Atoll, Meedhoo and Rimbidhoo in Dhaalu Atoll, Kalaidhoo in Laamu Atoll, Olhuvelifushi in Lhaviyani Atoll, Raimandhoo in Meemu Atoll, as well as a ballot box in Male' City for residents of Gaafu Alif Atoll and another ballot box for residents of Meemu Atoll in addition to the ballot box placed in Milaidhoo Island Maldives.
Shareef said, in order to confirm the official results, the seals of the ballot boxes will be opened for recounting on April 21 in the presence of the relevant candidates and party officials. He also said ECM has confirmed the official results of 90% of the ballot boxes, and will begin publicising the final results on April 21.
The elections on April 10 was the largest ever held in the Maldives, with LCE contested by 2,264 candidates and WDCE contested by 1,670 candidates. A total of 1,912 candidates were elected in the polls held an year late due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with 918 elected to the island councils, 196 elected to the atoll councils, 42 elected to the city councils, and 930 elected to the women's development committees.