Allowance of Parliamentary Election officials will be increased: EC

Officials of the Parliamentary Election will receive an increased allowance, says Vice President of the Elections Commission Ismail Habeeb.

Habeeb made this statement while speaking on RaajjeTV's 'Falasurukhee' program, on Wednesday night.

Speaking on the program, Habeeb noted that hiring election officials is challenging. Additionally, he pointed out that the allowances received by election officials in the presidential election were lower than those received by those in the local council elections.

He stated that it would be difficult to find officials for the same allowance and expressed doubt about the commission's ability to gain enough officials for that sum.

Habeeb added that the commission will raise the officials' allowance as the Parliamentary Election falls during Ramadan.

According to Habib, the current procedure is for officers to begin nighttime training after working during official hours, which presents a significant difficulty during the month of Ramadan. He noted that the commission is working to hold the training sessions before hand.

Habeeb said that although a lower voter turnout is anticipated due to the election falling during Ramadan, the commission will still be working for a high voter turnout.

The Election Commission went on to state that the Parliamentary Election ought to take place thirty days prior to the expiry of the current parliamentary term.

The Maldivian constitution states that April 28 is the deadline for all matters pertaining to the Parliamentary Election.