EC Proposes Holding Parliamentary Elections Ahead of Ramadan

The Election Commission (EC) of the Maldives has proposed changes to the timeline for the upcoming 20th parliamentary elections to avoid holding them during Ramadan. EC Vice-President Ismail Habeeb presented two options to the Independent Institutions Committee: reduce the period between candidate announcement and voting from 30 to 20 days, or extend the 120-day pre-election period to 140 days. The current legal deadlines would result in the earliest election date of 18 March 2024, which falls on 9 Ramadan, conflicting with O' level mock exams scheduled for 17-28 March. A second round, if needed, would occur on 20 April, just one day before the legislative deadline of 28 April. The committee will debate the proposals, and EC plans to consult political parties.

The Election Commission (EC) of the Maldives has proposed changes to the timeline for the upcoming 20th parliamentary elections to avoid holding them during Ramadan. EC Vice-President Ismail Habeeb presented two options to the Independent Institutions Committee: reduce the period between candidate announcement and voting from 30 to 20 days, or extend the 120-day pre-election period to 140 days. The current legal deadlines would result in the earliest election date of 18 March 2024, which falls on 9 Ramadan, conflicting with O' level mock exams scheduled for 17-28 March. A second round, if needed, would occur on 20 April, just one day before the legislative deadline of 28 April. The committee will debate the proposals, and EC plans to consult political parties.

The Election Commission (EC) of the Maldives has proposed changes to the timeline for the upcoming 20th parliamentary elections to avoid holding them during Ramadan. EC Vice-President Ismail Habeeb presented two options to the Independent Institutions Committee: reduce the period between candidate announcement and voting from 30 to 20 days, or extend the 120-day pre-election period to 140 days. The current legal deadlines would result in the earliest election date of 18 March 2024, which falls on 9 Ramadan, conflicting with O' level mock exams scheduled for 17-28 March. A second round, if needed, would occur on 20 April, just one day before the legislative deadline of 28 April. The committee will debate the proposals, and EC plans to consult political parties.

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