Main-ruling party Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) will contesting for 877 seats in the upcoming local council election.
MDP has said that Election Commission has accepted 877 application forms of candidates representing the party. The party's Deputy Secretary-General Afshan Latheef said although party tickets were presented to 880 candidates, three candidates did not submit their candidacy papers to the Elections Commission.
Therefore, 877 candidates representing the party will be contesting in the election from MDP. While 983 councillors will be appointed in the election, the party has not fielded candidates for the remaining 106 seats.
Main opposition Progressive party of Maldives (PPM) is fielding 675 candidates for the council elections. Candidates representing coalition partner Jumhooree Party and several independent candidates have also submitted their applications at the Elections Commission.
The council elections are slated for April 4. Out of the 983 seats, 370 seats have been designated for women under recent amendments to the Decentralization Act. An additional 930 members will be elected to Women's Development Committees on the same day.
