Opportunity opened for election monitoring and observation
The Elections Commission has reopened applications for observers and monitors for the 2026 elections, allowing media outlets, NGOs, and independent individuals to apply via its online portal from March 3 until the end of March 4. More than 4,500 applicants have already registered to participate in the election monitoring process.
Monitors and observers are seen active at a polling station during a previous election. | EC | Elections Commission
The Elections Commission has opened a further opportunity for those interested in observing and monitoring the Local Council Elections and Women's Development Committee Elections, as well as the public referendum, scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The Elections Commission has announced that the application window for monitors and observers will open today, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The deadline for submissions is set for 3:00 PM on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The Commission confirmed that arrangements have been made for all eligible individuals to submit their applications within this period.
News outlets and media organizations wishing to apply for monitor accreditation must submit their applications through the Elections Commission’s main portal (my.elections.gov.mv) via a designated Data Liaison appointed by the organization. To register a Data Liaison, the completed application form, along with a copy of the media registration or license and the liaison’s national ID card, must be emailed to omc@elections.gov.mv. Each media organization will be issued a single pass for every voting and counting station. Furthermore, only one monitor from each organization is permitted to be active within a station at any given time.
Opportunities to participate as observers have been opened for political parties, non-governmental organizations, and private individuals. Political parties are required to submit their observer applications through the Simeda portal. NGOs must submit their forms via the main portal through a designated data liaison, while individual applicants can also apply directly through the main portal. Accreditation passes for political parties and organizations will be issued up to a limit not exceeding 10 percent of the total number of ballot boxes. Furthermore, only one observer from each category is permitted to be active at a polling station at any given time.
To date, 3,091 individuals have submitted applications to monitor the elections, while 1,477 have applied to serve as observers. These figures are expected to rise following the decision to reopen the application window.
