Local Council Nominations Go Digital, Restricted to Set Hours

The Election Commission of Maldives (ECM) has announced that nominations for the upcoming local council elections must be submitted online, with forms only accepted during designated hours. The portal records the submission time, and nominations outside the set window will not be processed. The elections, scheduled for April 4, will be heavily digitised, marking a significant shift in the electoral process. Candidates must submit their forms via the MyPortal system, with the submission period running from January 17 to February 1 at 15:30hrs. Applications will be accepted from 08:30hrs to 15:30hrs on weekdays and Sundays from 15:30hrs to 18:00hrs. ECM President Mohamed Zahid emphasised that administrative arrangements align with the portal’s preset times. Candidates must provide criminal record certificates and proof of debt repayment if applicable. The portal also prevents male candidates from contesting seats reserved for women and supports independent candidates seeking public backing. The Commission advises candidates to submit nominations promptly to avoid delays.