The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced that only members registered at the party before 1 January 2020 can participate in the party's primaries for the upcoming local council election.

While MDP did not disclose the exact date of their primaries, some members have already begun their campaigns via social media.

The local council elections have been scheduled for 4th April 2020. The People’s Majlis has brought recent amendments to the Decentralization Act stipulating that 33% of council seats are reserved for women.

As such, details publicized by the ECM reveal that 929 members will be elected to the committees on women’s development whereas a total of 980 members will be elected to councils overall.

Moreover, 895 members will be elected to the committees on women’s development throughout islands this time whereas 34 women will be elected to the committees on women’s development in cities.

Overall, 900 councilors will be elected through the Local Council Elections set to be held in the upcoming year, including 18 atoll councilors, 24 city councilors along with the election of three mayors.