Voting in the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s primaries for the women’s development committee elections has begun.
The main ruling party’s campaign spokesperson Afshan Latheef revealed that voting for the women’s development committee primaries began at 02:30pm and is set to conclude at 9pm on Monday.
Highlighting that a lot of women will be contesting in the elections, Afshan stated that voting is proceeding across the entire nation.
The primaries to elect members to capital city Malé’s women’s development committee are taking place at the main campaign office of MDP in Henveiru-ward. Polling has been placed for Gaaf Alif and Gaaf Dhaal residents at the campaign site and voting for Haa Alif, Haa Dhaal, Kulhudhuffushi City, Shaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Baa, Lhaviyani, Kaafu, Alif Alif, Vaavu, Thaa, Laamu, Addi City and the capital’s residents is proceeding at the main campaign office.
Polling stations for Villimalé and Hulhumalé will be placed at the campaign sites of the respective districts as well.
The party has publicized further details of the polling stations via its official website.
This is the first time the women’s development committees’ elections are being held after the amendments to the Decentralization Act ensured 33 percent of councils to women. This in turn mandates the committees to be formed.
While the primaries were initially scheduled to be held on 14 February, the party did not divulge a reason as to why it was postponed.
MDP held its primary election to elect candidates to contest in the upcoming local council elections on 31 January.
This will be the first time the ECM is scheduled to hold two different elections during one day, after the amendments made to the Decentralization Act, the last one was held during February 2011. ECM assures the public that this year’s elections are expected to be different in every way.
1,912 candidates will be elected in both elections this year, 980 out of which is contesting for the local councils and 930 for women’s development committees.
