The Elections Commission (EC) has extended the deadline for applications from individuals and organisations seeking to serve as observers and monitors for the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections scheduled for April 4.

The Commission had initially opened applications from 9 February to 28 February for those interested in serving as observers and monitors. It has now announced that the deadline has been extended until 3:00 p.m. on 4 March.

Applicants must submit their forms through the Commission’s my.elections.gov.mv portal. The Commission stated that individuals applying independently or through associations must not be registered members of any political party.

Political parties are required to submit their observers through a designated portal created specifically for parties. All observers must also agree to the code of conduct through the Commission’s main portal. Media organisations applying to monitor the elections are required to submit details of their media registration licence along with the relevant personal information.

In terms of allocation, media monitors will be permitted in proportion to the number of ballot boxes placed. The number of observers submitted by political parties and associations must not exceed 10 per cent above the total number of ballot boxes.

Approved observers and monitors will be notified via SMS and through the online portal. Passes required to participate in election-related activities will be made available for download through the same platform.

The Commission noted strong interest in the process so far, with 3,091 applications submitted for election monitors and 1,477 applications received from individuals seeking to serve as observers.