Voting has officially begun for today’s local council elections, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections, and a public referendum to determine whether presidential and parliamentary elections should be held simultaneously. Polling stations across the Maldives will remain open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. A total of 588 ballot boxes have been stationed nationwide, with each eligible voter receiving three distinct ballot papers. To ensure the integrity of the process, voters are permitted to carry only their national identity cards and a standard blue pen into the polling stations; mobile phones and electronic recording devices are strictly prohibited.
The allocation of council seats is determined by the population of cities and islands. Residents in cities will vote separately for mayors and council members. In island jurisdictions, populations under 2,000 will elect three councilors, while larger populations will elect five. For the national referendum, the ballot features a single question regarding the consolidation of major elections, requiring a “Yes” or “No” response. According to the Elections Commission, over 800,000 ballot papers have been printed and distributed for these polls.
