MDP Urges ECM to Introduce Manual Application Option for Local Council and WDC Elections

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called on the Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) to introduce a manual application process alongside the existing online system for candidates wishing to contest the 2026 Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections.

Mohamed Waheed (Waddey), president of the MDP’s Dhidhdhoo constituency, said on X that while online applications should remain available 24 hours a day, the short deadline set by the ECM necessitates an additional option to submit applications manually.

ކައުންސިލް އަދި ޑަބްލިޔު ޑީސީއަށް އޮންލައިން ކޮން އެޕްލައި ކުރުމަށް ގިނަ ދަތިތަކެއްދިމާވާތީ 24 ގަޑިއިރު އޮންލައިން ކޮން އެޕްލައި ކުރެވެންޖެހޭ. އަދި އެޕްލައިކުރުމަށް ލިބިފައިވާ މުއްދަތު ކުޑަކަމުން މެނުއަލްކޮންވެސް ފޯމް ބަލައިގަތުމުގެ އިންތިޒާމް ހަމަޖެއްސުމަށް އީސީ އަށް ގޮވާލަން.— Abdulla Waheed (@waddxy) January 24, 2026

The ECM opened applications on 17 January for the Local Council Elections scheduled on 4 April. The commission has set the deadline for 1 February at 3:30 pm.

Currently, applicants must submit their required documents through the ECM portal, my.elections.gov.mv, which also serves as the official channel for all notifications and communications with candidates. A detailed guide on the application process has been published alongside the announcement.

Applicants are required to submit a criminal and debt clearance certificate issued by the Department of Judicial Administration, confirming a clean record from 1 December onwards; their National Identification Card (NID); a completed candidate declaration; and details of any government positions held over the past five years. Debt and criminal clearance applications must be filed through records.judiciary.gov.mv.

The ECM has urged prospective candidates to review all requirements carefully and submit their applications before the deadline.