Training Begins Across Maldives for Election Officials Ahead of Local Council and WDC Elections

The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has begun training officials who will oversee polling stations across the country in preparation for the forthcoming Local Council Elections and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections.

A total of 95 trainers have been engaged to prepare an estimated 7,000 election officials who will be deployed nationwide. Training sessions for officials in the Malé region are scheduled to begin on 15 January.

The programme is designed to provide officials with the essential knowledge and skills required to administer polling stations effectively. This includes guidance on managing voting centres, assisting voters with prescribed procedures, and ensuring the accurate counting and tabulation of ballots. Practical exercises form a key part of the training, allowing participants to apply theoretical knowledge in simulated polling scenarios.

Preparatory training for the trainers was conducted between 3 and 9 January at the Centre for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), with more than 100 participants taking part. Those who completed the programme will go on to train polling officials both within the Maldives and at overseas voting locations.