The Elections Commission (EC) has announced that over 800,000 ballot papers will be printed for the upcoming Local Council elections, Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections, and national referendum scheduled for 4 April.

The Commission said that preparations for printing are nearing completion, with between 85 and 95 per cent of the work already finalised. Each eligible voter will receive three ballot papers to cast their votes across the three polls.

A total of 294,876 voters are eligible to participate in the elections. The EC stated that 588 ballot boxes will be placed nationwide, with three boxes allocated per polling station. Of these, 180 boxes will be placed in Malé City, 51 in Hulhumalé, nine in Vilimalé, and 322 across the atolls, in addition to 21 boxes in resorts and five in prisons.

Director of Elections Shahula Ismail said this marks the largest number of ballot papers printed for an election in the Maldives.

The Commission said all ballot papers will undergo individual verification before being packed and transported in sealed security containers to polling stations. The process will be conducted under the supervision of observers and monitors to ensure transparency.

The EC also urged voters to carefully place their ballots in the correct boxes and encouraged public participation, noting the importance of elections in a democratic system.