Daily Application Window Extended for Local Council and WDC Elections

The Elections Commission has extended the daily window for submitting online applications for the 2026 Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections by two hours, effective from today until Sunday, 1 February.

Under the revised schedule, applications may now be submitted from 08:30 am to 5  pm from Saturday to Thursday, while submissions on Fridays will be accepted between 3:30 pm and 8 pm.

The commission said the extension applies only to daily submission hours and does not alter the overall application deadline. As of today, a total of 2,591 applications have been received for the Local Council and WDC elections, which are scheduled to be held on 4 April.

https://t.co/3UvDGRhpQd— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) January 28, 2026

The move follows criticism from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which yesterday called for a 10-day postponement of the application deadline, citing an inadequate timeframe and growing obstacles to what it described as a free and fair electoral process.

Speaking at a press conference, Abdulla Waheed (Waddey), spokesperson for the MDP’s local council elections campaign, said the limited submission window has created serious difficulties for prospective candidates, particularly as the elections approach and key institutions appear unprepared to manage the process.

Waheed also said the Elections Commission is legally required to ensure a free and fair election, but claimed there is currently no evidence that this obligation is being adequately met. Against this backdrop, the party reiterated its call for a 10-day extension to the application deadline.