LCE re-registration to be opened up soon: EC
The Local Council Elections was originally scheduled for January 14
The Local Council Elections was delayed by two months, through a Civil Court order
Elections Commission (EC) has said that re-registration for the Local Council Elections, scheduled for April, will be open soon, adding that “adequate time will be provided.”
Speaking on the matter on Saturday, Commission member Ahmed Akram said that they will be opening up voter re-registration for the council elections soon, and that they are currently making the necessary preparations to do so.
Last week, the parliament passed amendments to the Local Council Elections Act, which Akram said that after it is made into law, that the people will be given the opportunity to use their rights, accordingly.
However, Akram did not confirm nor deny whether the council elections could be delayed due to the amendment passed in parliament.
“I am unable to say whether there could be a delay due to the amendment,” said Akram.
The Local Council Elections, originally scheduled for January 14, was postponed by two months, through a Civil Court order. The council elections are to be held on April 14.
The Court ruling came after President Abdulla Yameen’s faction of the now-divided Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) filed a case, seeking to delay the council elections, citing that the party “was unable to prepare on time due to an internal conflict.”
The ruling party has been divided into two factions since June 2016, as President Yameen, the party’s chief advisor and its leader, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom continue to battle over party leadership.
Civil Court’s ruling ordered that the party be handed over from Maumoon, and handed over to Yameen.
