Elections Commissions (EC) has stated that they are processing the application forms for the upcoming local council election, and that the number of candidates contesting in the election is not yet confirmed.
As a large number of applications were submitted on Thursday, the day of the application deadline, it is difficult to immediately confirm the total number of candidates, said EC.
The Vice President and Chief Spokesperson of EC, Ahmed Akram said thousands of applications were received before the deadline. This includes applications from both independent candidates and those representing political parties, said Akram.
Akram said that the EC is working around the clock to process the forms and the highest priority is being given to responding to the applicants within 48 hours as stipulated in the Elections Act. In that regard, up until now, they have processed 3000 forms and informed the candidates of acceptance of their candidacy.
EC stated that it is estimated that over 6000 candidates will contend in the local council election that is slated for April 4. This is the first time such a large number of candidates will content in an election of the Maldives.
The eligible voters for the upcoming election are 269,562.
VP and Chief Spokesperson of EC
