Elections Commission Reopens Recruitment for Local Council Elections Polling Stations

The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has reopened applications for polling station officials for the 2026 Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections after receiving an insufficient number of applicants under an earlier call.

In a re-advertised notice published following its initial announcement, the EC invited interested individuals to apply through its online portal at my.elections.gov.mv. Recruitment will continue until the required number of officials is reached, the commission said.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must not hold any elected or appointed position within a political party, play a leading role in political activities, or be involved in any candidate’s campaign. The ECM also barred immediate family members of candidates — defined as parents, spouses, children and siblings — from applying.

ލޯކަލް ކައުންސިލްތަކުގެ އިންތިޚާބާއި އަންހެނުންގެ ތަރައްޤީއަށް މަސައްކަތްކުރާ ކޮމިޓީގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2026އާ ގުޅިގެން އޮފިޝަލުން ހޯދުމަށް

ފޯމު ހުށަހަޅާނީ: https://t.co/5rfdnPaUL3https://t.co/rHT3qyZMfX pic.twitter.com/ptR5RQMxD2— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) February 9, 2026

Those registered as candidates, candidate representatives, observers or monitors for the election are ineligible, as are individuals currently serving a criminal sentence, facing disciplinary action from the ECM in relation to previous elections, or blacklisted due to past electoral misconduct. School students are also not eligible.

The commission said applicants must be able to carry out their duties with honesty, integrity and impartiality. Any applicant who is later approved as an observer, monitor or candidate’s representative will have their application to serve as an election official automatically voided.

Under the revised recruitment drive, the ECM will appoint centre leaders at a rate of MVR 2,900, assistant leaders at MVR 2,600, centre officials at MVR 2,300 and vote-counting officials at MVR 1,800. Reserve officials will receive MVR 1,000. Selected officials will also be paid overtime and meal allowances, with the specific amounts detailed in the gazette announcement.

The ECM said it retains the authority to determine the polling station and designation assigned to each successful applicant, and will recruit officials only until the required quota is met.

Applicants are required to submit all documents in PDF format, including a copy of their highest educational certificate, a curriculum vitae and, if employed, an employment letter confirming their status.The deadline for applications is 15:00 on Sunday, 22 March 2026. The commission said it will continue to accept applications beyond that date if the required number of suitable officials is not secured by the deadline.