Opposition Challenges EC’s Mandatory eFaas Endorsements

The Maldives Elections Commission (EC) is facing a legal challenge and political criticism after introducing a requirement that candidate endorsements for the upcoming Local Council Elections be verified through the government’s “eFaas” digital identity portal. 

Under the EC’s new guidelines, independent candidates must secure at least 50 endorsements, with supporters required to log in to the commission’s online portal via eFaas to confirm their backing. In previous elections, endorsements were commonly collected using physical signatures.

Former president Abdulla Yameen criticised the change at a People’s National Front (PNF) gathering on Sunday night, arguing that the EC lacks the authority to eliminate paper-based processes. He said the commission “cannot simply mandate an entirely digital process and discard physical documentation”, and confirmed that the PNF has filed a lawsuit against the EC.

Concerns have also been raised about access and inclusivity. Former home minister Umar Naseer said in a formal letter to EC president Mohamed Zahid that making eFaas the sole method for verifying endorsements could disadvantage people who do not use digital services regularly, including older residents in more remote areas. Naseer argued that the requirement could restrict the ability of independent candidates and their supporters to participate fully in the electoral process.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the main opposition party also has raised concerns related to eFaas and EC’s election portal. They accused ruling party People’s National Congress (PNC) of having access to the portal. However, the Elections Commission denied the allegation that the PNC had access to the candidate form submission portal.

MDP has also called for a manual (non-digital) option for submissions, citing practical difficulties and concerns about the online process.

The EC opened its online portal for candidate applications on 17 January, with prospective candidates required to submit their forms by midnight this coming Sunday. The Local Council Elections are scheduled for 4 April, with representatives to be elected for 225 constituencies across local councils.

As the application deadline nears, pressure has continued to build on the Elections Commission to offer an alternative method of endorsement verification alongside eFaas. The EC has not publicly responded to the legal action or the objections raised by opposition.