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By-elections to be held in seven islands next month

Malika Shahid
17 September 2022, MVT 18:43
[File] Counting of votes: The Election Commission is preparing to hold by-elections in seven islands next month
Malika Shahid
17 September 2022, MVT 18:43

The Election Commission of Maldives (EC) has decided to hold by-elections in seven islands next month.

The Election Commission announced that by-election will be held to elect a council member for Shaviyani atoll Maaungoodhoo, and registration to vote at a place other than the place where you are initially registered to vote in the by-election for the Women's Development Comittee (WDC) members of Raa atoll Rasmaadhoo, Thaa atoll Guraidhoo and Laamu atoll Dhanbidhoo has been opened.

The by-elections in Maaungoodhoo, Rasmaadhoo, Guraidhoo and Dhanbidhoo are scheduled to be held on October 1.

By-elections for WDC's will also be held on October 22 in Vaavu atoll Thinadhoo, Vaavu atoll Felidhoo and haa Alifu atoll Hoarafushi.

Last May, President of Election Commissions Fuad Thaufeeq expressed concern over the increase in WDC by-elections at the Local Councils Women's Development Committee of the Parliament. He also said that the budget allocated to the Election Commission for this year is about to be exhausted in less than half a year.

At the meeting, Fuad said three or four members of the WDCs resign every month and it costs MVR 150,000 to hold a by-election.

He said that addtitional costs are incurred which include paying overtime to the EC employees working in the elections and that no work can be done for the development of the Election Comission as the budget is exhausted on by-elections.

The commission has spent a total of MVR 1.4 million on holding by-elections for WDC's till May this year. The commission has been allocated MVR 1.5 million in this year's budget to hold elections.

Last year, the commission held 11 by-elections forWomen's Development Committees. So far, 15 by-elections have been held in 2022.

To resolve the issue, the commission asked parliament to amend the law to hold by-elections a maximum of twice each year instead of every time members resign.

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