The Election Commission of Maldives (EC) has revealed that training for some of the officials to be stationed in the Greater Malé Region (GMR) for the fast-approaching parliamentary elections, will begin over the course of the next two weeks.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s ‘Fala Surukhee’ programme to provide updates regarding the commission’s preparations for the elections, an EC official revealed that training sessions have been completed for officials stationed in locations other than the capital region.

More than 3,000 officials are to be stationed across the capital region, out of which training has been conducted for 1,400 officials.

EC is to begin training the remaining 1,600 officials on Saturday.

Further, the commission revealed that other than the officials selected now, they require about 1,500 more and that discussions are currently underway to find them, in collaboration with relevant authorities.

Since the day of polling has been delayed, the commission said it will conduct refreshing sessions for officials at the end of the ongoing fasting month of Ramadan.

The opportunity window to re-register for the elections was recently opened by EC and once the list is finalized, two days would be given to file complaints.

EC went on to urge the public to check if they are registered at the correct location, even now.

The commission will gazette the final list on March 25, after which there will be no changes to the voters’ list.

EC revealed that individuals can re-register to cast their ballots at any place other than the one they are already registered to vote at, from 2pm March 10. The application window will close at 3pm, March 16.

The commission revealed that only those who wish to register to cast their ballots at a place other than the one registered to vote at when the registration process was first announced from February 1 – 7, will have the option to re-register this time round.

Individuals may check their registered locations on EC’s website. Further, they can also enter their national ID card number and send an SMS to 1414, to check the location of registration.

EC also revealed that the applications for re-registrations will only be accepted through their portal, online.

Individuals may apply for re-registration through eFaas only through verified accounts

EC further noted that all assistance will be provided for the process across all inhabited islands except the capital Malé City, through the local council officers, Addu City, Fuvahmulah City district officers as well as Kulhudhuffushi City council secretariat.

If in Malé City, EC has planned for individuals to proceed with the re-registration process at the Elections Center in Dharubaaruge.

EC delayed the parliamentary polls of 2024 to April, after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the fifth amendment to the General Elections Act on February 29.

The People’s Majlis elections were previously slated for 17 March 2024, which falls within the first week of the fasting month of Ramadan. The elections will now be held on 21 April 2024.