Parliamentary polls: candidates begin signing voters registry

Candidates contesting in the fast-approaching parliamentary elections have begun signing the final voter’s registry.

The Elections Commission (EC) revealed that the signing process will proceed at the Election Center, set up in Dharubaaruge.

The signing process will take place through 12am, Monday.

The commission revealed that if the candidate sends a representative on their behalf to sign the voters’ list, they must carry a copy of the candidate’s ID card, a letter signed by the candidate along with the full name, permanent address, and ID card details of the representative.

Further, the representative will be required to carry their own ID card with them.

According to the final list of eligible voters publicized by the commission, a total of 284,663 individuals are eligible to vote in this year’s People’s Majlis elections.

These include 139,361 women and 145,302 men.

The commission earlier revealed that a total of 602 ballot boxes will be stationed for the elections, including 181 in the capital Malé City, 51 in Hulhumalé, nine in Villimalé and 319 across islands of outlying atolls.

Further, polling stations will be set up in three foreign countries, 34 in resorts and five in prison complexes.

Polling stations are to be set up in Trivandrum, India, Colombo, Sri Lanka and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ballot boxes were to be placed in London, England, Bangkok, Thailand and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier.

Although it was earlier announced that 608 ballot boxes would be placed, changes were made to the number of polling booths to be set up for the elections, after the re-registration process concluded.

According to the People’s Majlis, the new parliament which begins in 2024 will have 93 seats. These include two constituencies added to Malé City. From 2024, the capital city will have a total of 17 seats.

A total of 369 candidates are competing for 93 constituencies during this year’s parliamentary polls.

The parliamentary polls are slated for 21 April 2024.

The elections for the ongoing 19th tenure of Parliament were held on 6 April 2019.