Local Council Election set for 18 January 2014

Elections Commission has announced that the Local Council Election will be held on 18 January 2014.

The commission invited submission of forms to stand in the election today.

Speaking on TVM tonight, Director of Elections Commission Ahmed Abubakuru said that the commission will start accepting forms on Monday, 25 November.

He said that a period of 14 days will be allowed to submit forms.

Ahmed said that unlike the Council Elections of 2011, this time, a court statement regarding the individual’s criminal records must be submitted as part of the application.

He further said that if the election is postponed, it would not be possible to hold the election before the deadline stated in the law.

The present term will end on 17 February 2014 and the election must be held 30 days prior to this date, Ahmed informed.

According to the Elections Commission, a total of 1118 seats will be elected during the upcoming election. This include 975 island council seats, 126 atoll council seats and 17 city council seats.