A total of 141 individuals have submitted candidacy papers for the upcoming Local Council Elections.

The Elections Commission (EC) revealed this via Twitter on Saturday, including that 50 individuals have submitted the papers for the Women’s Development Committee Elections 2020.

While parties interested in running in the Local Council Elections can submit candidacy papers until 20th February, the deadline for the Women’s Development Committee Elections is 24th February.

The EC has to accept their candidacy in order for them to run in any elections, and EC had previously assured that this will be done “within 48 hours after the form is submitted.”

Over 900 councilors are to be elected in the Local Council Elections this year, with 929 to be elected in the Women’s Development Committee Elections.

As per a recent amendment to the Decentralization Act, a total of seven councilors are to be elected to all islands with over 3,000 residents.

While the current administration continues efforts to ensure equality for women and to involve more in authoritative roles, the amendment to the Decentralization Act also states that all councils with five officials must include two women while those with seven members must comprise of three.