Election Commission to train 7,000 officials for upcoming Local Council Elections

The Elections Commission (EC) of the Maldives has announced plans to train approximately 7,000 officials to oversee the upcoming Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections scheduled for April 4, 2026. 

As part of these preparations, the EC launched its "Training of Trainers" (ToT) program today at the Center for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) in Malé. 

This initial program, which will run until this coming Friday, involves 95 trainers from various regions across the country who will be responsible for leading the subsequent training sessions for officials stationed at polling centers both within the Maldives and abroad.

The comprehensive training program is designed to ensure that voting station officials are fully prepared to conduct the voting and counting processes in strict accordance with established laws and regulations. Participants are provided with the academic and technical knowledge necessary to manage the practical operations of the election, including handling ballot boxes and resolving procedural issues. The EC aims to standardize these operations nationwide to maintain the integrity and transparency of the electoral process during the double election.

Following the completion of the trainer program, the rollout of sessions for polling station officials will occur in two phases. Training for officials based in the atolls is scheduled to begin on January 11, 2026, while the programs for those working in the Malé area will commence on January 15, 2026. 

The Elections Commission confirmed that once these training modules are completed, the officials will be officially assigned to their practical duties to ensure a smooth voting day on April 4.