The Elections Commission of Maldives (EC) has revealed that some of the by-elections previously scheduled to be held during the fasting month of Ramadan, have been delayed to May 4.

The by-elections slated for May 4 include the one to elect female members to the council of Thakandhoo island of Haa Alif atoll, the one to elect a member to the council of Velidhoo island of Noonu atoll and the one to elect the president of the Maduvvari island council in Meemu atoll.

The commission brought the change in the wake of the ratification and publication of the fifth amendment to the General Election Act in the government gazette.

With the amendment to the law, elections will not be held during Ramadan.

EC earlier announced that that by-election to elect female members to Thakandhoo and the one to elect a member to Velidhoo council would take place on March 17 and the one to elect the Maduvvari council president would take place on March 30.

However, they have been pushed back to May 4.

Voting will take place from 8am to 4pm.

The process to count ballots will begin 30 minutes after the polling stations close, the same day.

The official results of the by-elections will be announced on May 6.