Maldivian Parliament Extends Deadline for Presidential Candidacies

The Parliament of the Maldives has passed a bill to extend the period for submitting candidacies to contest the upcoming presidential election. The bill, which received 48 votes in favor, aims to provide candidates with a longer window to declare their intent to run for office.

Parliamentarian Ibrahim Shareef, representing the government, submitted the amendment bill to the Presidential Elections Act. The proposed change seeks to lengthen the current timeframe for submitting candidacies from 10 days to 14 days, allowing potential candidates more time to organize their campaigns and gather necessary support.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) had initially announced that candidacies could be submitted from July 23 to August 3 in accordance with the existing law. However, with the passing of the bill, candidates will now be granted an extended period of 14 days to officially declare their participation in the presidential race.

The presidential election is scheduled to take place on September 9, with a possible second round to be held on September 30. In preparation for the elections, the ECM is currently focused on finalizing the voters’ list and determining the optimal locations to place ballot boxes across the country.

These developments highlight the Maldivian government’s commitment to ensuring a fair and inclusive electoral process. By extending the candidacy submission period, potential candidates will have additional time to prepare their campaigns, fostering greater participation and engagement in the upcoming presidential election.