The Elections Commission of Maldives (EC) has opened nominations for the upcoming Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) Elections, scheduled for Saturday, 4 April 2026, from 08:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m.

Nominations opened today and will close on 1 February at 03:30 pm. The Commission stated that forms may be submitted only during official hours: 08:30 a.m. to 03:30 p.m. on all days except Fridays, when applications will be accepted from 03:30 p.m. to 06:00 p.m.

For the first time, all nomination forms must be submitted online via the Commission’s portal, my.elections.gov.mv, where candidates are required to upload documents, pay administrative fees, and receive decisions and notices electronically.

The elections will be held in 225 council constituencies, with 678 members elected to local councils and an equal number to WDCs, bringing the total to 1,356 elected members. According to the voters’ list, 294,937 people are eligible to vote, including 144,527 women and 150,410 men.

The Commission announced that 321 polling stations will be established across the atolls, with an additional 240 stations in Malé, Hulhumalé, and Villingili for voters from Kulhudhuffushi, Fuvahmulah City, Thinadhoo City, and Addu City. Three polling stations will be set up in industrial islands, five in prisons, and 50 in resorts. Overseas ballot boxes will also be placed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Colombo, Sri Lanka.

According to the Commission’s permanent constituency determination report, 626 councillors will be elected to island councils and 52 councillors to city councils. Of the 133 island councils, some will elect three councillors, including a council president and one female member, while 46 island councils will elect five councillors, including a council president and two female members. The number of members elected to WDCs will match the number elected to island and city councils.

The EC emphasised that the April 4 elections will be conducted in a highly digitalised manner, particularly in administrative processes, ensuring greater efficiency and accessibility for candidates and voters alike.