ECM Opens Applications to Contest Local Council and WDC Elections

MV+ News Desk | January 17, 2026
During the first press conference held by the ECM regarding the Local council and WDC 2026 elections. | Photo: ECM

The Election Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has opened applications for eligible candidates to contest in the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections.

According to the ECM, applications will be accepted from tomorrow until 1 February at 3:30pm.

According to ECM applicants must be Maldivian citizens, not hold foreign citizenship, and, if naturalised, must have held Maldivian citizenship for at least five years. Candidates must be Sunni Muslims, be at least 18 years old, of sound mind, and compliant with any legally enforceable court orders related to debt.

The ECM said individuals currently serving criminal sentences are not eligible, nor are those convicted of offences involving sexual misconduct against children or crimes affecting a person’s dignity. Additional restrictions apply to candidates with past narcotics-related or other serious criminal convictions, depending on the length of sentence served and the time elapsed since completion or pardon.

All applications, supporting documents and the required administrative fee must be submitted online through the ECM’s main portal, my.elections.gov.mv. The Commission said all official notifications and communications with candidates will also be conducted through the portal. A detailed guide on submitting applications has been published alongside the announcement.

Applicants are required to submit a copy of their valid Maldivian identity card, a completed candidate declaration and details of any government positions held over the past five years. Independent candidates must secure the support of 50 registered voters from their constituency through the portal, while party candidates must obtain formal endorsement from their political party via the SIMEDA system.

Candidates may also submit a campaign symbol or ballot paper logo, subject to size and format requirements set out in election regulations. An administrative fee of MVR 1,500 must be paid through the Bandeyri Portal.

In addition, all candidates must submit a criminal and debt clearance record issued by the Department of Judicial Administration, confirming a clean record from 1 December onwards. Clearance applications must be filed through records.judiciary.gov.mv.The ECM urged prospective candidates to carefully review all requirements and submit applications within the specified deadline.

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