86 candidates have withdrawn from the local council elections.

While the Local Council Elections and the Women’s Development Committee Elections 2020 had to be rescheduled for next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, opportunity to withdraw was opened back in June.

27 of the candidates withdrew from the Women’s Development Committee Elections 2020.

41 candidates representing the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have withdrawn since June, as well as 12 representing opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and six from ruling coalition partner Jumhooree Party (JP).

The Local Council Elections and the Women’s Development Committee Elections 2020 were postponed through the People’s Majlis, to avoid a legal vacuum as the terms of existing councilors were to expire on June 3. The parliament passed the special motion back in April.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the bill to delay the elections, in May.

The Local Council Elections and the Women’s Development Committee Elections 2020 were originally slated for April 4.