ECM Urges for Amendment to Hold Parliamentary Elections Without Post-Ramadan Waiting Period
Photo: ECM
The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has urged the parliament to consider amending legislation to enable the holding of parliamentary elections without the customary 10-day waiting period after Ramadan.
This request comes as this year’s parliamentary election coincides with Ramadan, prompting the need for adjustments to election procedures.
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Under discussion is an amendment to the General Elections Act currently in the committee stage within parliament. The proposed amendment specifies that if the election date falls within Ramadan, it should take place 10 days after the conclusion of the holy month.
During a session of the special committee convened to review the bill, Ismail Habeeb, Vice Chairperson of the ECM, stressed the logistical challenges of adhering to the 10-day waiting period. He highlighted concerns regarding the limited timeframe available for vote counting and result announcement if the election is delayed.
The constitution mandates the election of new parliamentary members 30 days before the expiration of the current parliamentary assembly’s term. With the current term set to conclude on May 28th, all election-related procedures must be concluded by April 28th.
Given that Ramadan is expected to end on April 9th, the proposed amendment would allow for the parliamentary election to be held as early as April 19th, should it be passed. Habeeb emphasizsd the importance of considering potential issues that may arise during the election process, requiring additional time for resolution.
He highlighted the significance of allowing sufficient time between the completion of election procedures and the assembly’s term expiration, particularly in scenarios involving ties or legal disputes. Adjusting the waiting period from 10 to five days would provide an additional window for addressing such issues.
The ECM had initially scheduled the parliamentary election for March 17th, coinciding with the early days of Ramadan. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact of holding the election during Ramadan on voter turnout.
The proposed amendments aim to address these concerns and ensure the smooth conduct of the parliamentary election within the legal framework and practical constraints posed by the timing of Ramadan.
