New Regulation Sets Criteria for Forming Council Constituencies
New rules direct ECM to seek resident input on city council constituency boundaries | Photo: MV+
A new regulation governing the formation of council constituencies has been published, introducing requirements for the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) to consult residents when determining constituency boundaries in cities.
The regulation outlines that electoral constituencies in cities must be formed to ensure population equality across all constituencies. It also states that the formation of constituencies must not disrupt the order or unity of a city. In cases where more than one constituency is created within a single ward, separate constituencies must be established for all remaining wards to maintain consistency.
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Under the regulation, the ECM is required to establish a system that enables consultation with city residents when drafting constituency boundaries. It also designates each inhabited island as a single electoral constituency.
City and island councils must determine their registered populations and submit this information to the ECM between three and five months before a council election. The regulation further explains how additional constituencies may be created in cities, specifying that seats—excluding the mayoral position—must be allocated based on the total registered population. Each constituency formed under this process must remain within 25 percent of the registered population threshold.
The regulation also details how constituencies and seats for female councillors should be determined for council elections.
The next Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections are scheduled to take place on 4 April 2025.
