Local Council Election to be held on April 4

Elections Commission (EC) has announced the decision to hold the Local Council Election on April 4, 2020.

The commission announced the date in a statement over its official Twitter account this Wednesday afternoon.

2020 April 04 vaa honihiru dhuvahu local council thakuge inthikhaabu beyvvumah EC in thaavalu koffi.

— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) November 20, 2019

EC, in a press conference in August, announced that the Local Council Election will be held in the first week of April, though it did not announce a specific date; and that candidacy will be opened in February.

It also announced the decision to increase the number of ballot boxes to 178 boxes, and reduce the number of registered voters per ballot box.

According to EC, the increase in ballot boxes will mean the number of electoral officials required will increase to 6,000 – 7,000 officials.

The 2020 proposed budget awards EC an allocation of MVR 56.2 million to spend on the election, which the commission says is sufficient.

Meanwhile, the Maldivian government has presented key legislative and constitutional amendments which it says is designed to improve the management of administrative divisions of the government in accordance with a decentralized system of governance, and empower local councils.

The constitutional amendments, submitted on behalf of the Maldivian government by North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam is currently under investigation by the Whole House Sub Committee, while the legislative amendments were presented by Hulhumale’ MP Ali Niyaz.

Amendments to Section 8 of the Constitution:

• Establishing that mayors and deputy mayors of city councils, and presidents and vice presidents of island councils need to be elected directly through a secret ballot taken among constituents.
• Establishing that atoll councils must be composed of island council presidents from each atoll in order to improve representation of all local islands within atoll councils.
• Extending the term of councilors from three years to five years.

Amendments to Decentralization Act:

• Establishing that 33 percent of each council must be composed of women councilors.
• Allocating five percent of state income to local councils.
• Distributing 40 percent of the lease income earned from land, water and reef areas which do not fall within the boundary of any specific council among all local councils.
• Authorizing local councils with the right to charge fees and lease for its services.
• Authorizing local councils to run PSIP projects valued below MVR 5 million.
• Authorizing local councils to provide public services such as water, electricity and sanitation.
• Authorizing local councils with a say over appointment of in-charges to the council.
• Allocate a separate budget for women’s development committees and allocate salaries for committee members.

EC says these amendments, if enacted ahead of the Local Council Election, may increase the total cost of the election, but that Finance Ministry has provided assurance it will cover any possible additional cost through its special budget.