Parliament Speaker and Former President Mohamed Nasheed has begun his Gaaf Dhaal atoll tour as part of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s “Rahvehi Fathis” campaign for the upcoming Local Council Elections, his first stop being Nadella island.

While the speaker began the trip on Wednesday afternoon from Nadella island, MDP’s campaign spokesperson, Afshan Latheef revealed to press that Nasheed will be covering all the islands of the atoll during his tour.

As part of the “Rahvehi Fathis” campaign, the speaker spoke at a campaign event in Nadella on Wednesday evening.

All candidates contesting on the party’s ticket are joining the campaign, door-to-door activities and gatherings are also set to be held throughout the tour. The speaker will also be meeting with atoll residents.

Afshan has urged residents of the entire atoll to participate in the campaign activities.

Speaker Nasheed will be taking part in a gathering in Gadhdhoo island on Wednesday as well.

On Saturday night, the Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) revealed that a total of 2,435 candidates are contesting in the upcoming elections, the greatest number of candidates contesting through MDP tickets.

As such 876 candidates are contesting through MDP while 679 are contesting through the opposition coalition. Further, 127 candidates are vying through Jumhooree Party (JP), 30 through Adhaalath Party (AP), 22 through Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), 16 through the Maldives Reform Movement (MRM), four through Maldives Labour and Social Democratic Party, one from Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) and 680 independent candidates.

Further, 1,817 candidates are vying for the women’s development committee elections out of which 722 are from MDP, 517 from PPM, 56 from JP, 25 from AP, 20 from MDA, four from MRM and 473 independent candidates.

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, following which it is expected to be the first one of its kind. Unlike previous local council elections, only candidates that contest for the position of City Mayors, Atoll Council Presidents and Island Council Presidents can be elected for the position.

Other changes made under the amendments include allocating 33% of council seats for women and extending every councilor's term from three years to five years.

Both the local council elections and women’s development committee elections are slated for 4 April.