Discussions are underway to decrease the number of ballot papers that are to be printed for the upcoming local council election.
While it was previously decided by the Elections Commission to print 1.1 million ballot papers for the election, Commissioner of Elections Ahmed Shareef on Friday said discussions are ongoing to decide if the number of ballot papers printed for the election should be decreased. Printing such a large amount of ballot papers may complicate matters and cause confusion, said Shareef.
According to the current laws, separate ballot papers must be used to vote for island council members (general), island council members (female), island council presidents, atoll council president, city council members (general), city council members (female), city mayors, and those elected to the Women’s Development Committees.
If the number of ballot papers printed for the election is decreased, it will be more cost-effective and easier to manage the election..
"In the island council elections, citizens will vote for the council president, the women councillors, and general councillors on a single ballot paper. However, it will be counted as separate votes," said Shareef.
980 officials will be elected in the upcoming council elections slated for April 4, 2020.
These include 744 island councillors, 179 island council presidents, 18 atoll councillors, 36 city councillors and 3 mayors. 33% of the councils will be occupied by women as per recent amendments to the Decentralization Act.
