TikTok contest deadline extended; EC invites videos promoting voter education and election ethics

The Elections Commission (EC) has extended the deadline for its TikTok video contest aimed at raising public awareness ahead of the 2026 local council elections.

Originally, participants were required to submit their entries by 14:00 on January 10. However, the EC has now extended the deadline to 14:00 on January 31.

The contest offers cash prizes for the top three entries:

• First prize: MVR 5,000  

• Second prize: MVR 3,000  

• Third prize: MVR 2,000  

ލޯކަލް ކައުންސިލްތަކުގެ އިންތިޚާބާއި އަންހެނުންގެ ތަރައްޤީއަށް މަސައްކަތްކުރާ ކޮމިޓީގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2026 އާ ގުޅިގެން މި ކޮމިޝަނުން ކުރިއަށްގެންދިއުމަށް ހަމަޖެހިފައިވާ “ރަށުގެ ކުރިމަގު” ޓިކްޓޮކް މުބާރާތް

މުބާރާތުގައި ބައިވެރިވާން ޝައުޤުވެރިވާ ފަރާތްތަކުން 2026 ޖަނަވަރީ 31 ވާ… pic.twitter.com/vr8e76h6O6

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) January 22, 2026

According to EC guidelines, videos must focus on one or more of the following themes:

• Understanding official voting documents  

• Importance of voting in council and women’s committee elections  

• Election-related actions that are prohibited  

• Verifying information from multiple sources for accurate election coverage  

Participants may submit one video per topic or a series covering all four. Each video must be between 30 seconds and six minutes in length and must not rely on political party branding or messaging.

The EC said the initiative is part of its broader effort to engage younger audiences and promote informed participation in the upcoming elections.