Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has recently announced significant changes in the upcoming parliamentary election, with the addition of six new constituencies. According to the country’s Constitution, each administrative division with 5,000 registered residents should have a parliamentary representative. To prepare for both the presidential election this year and the parliamentary election next year, ECM is actively working on its arrangements.
During its latest meeting, ECM approved the changes to the constituencies for the 2024 parliamentary election. The adjustments will result in two new seats for Male’ City, one seat for Addu City, one for Baa Atoll, one for Kaafu Atoll, and another for Gaafu Alifu Atoll.
In adherence to the General Elections Act, ECM is required to announce any changes to the constituencies and populations of administrative divisions at least 10 months before the current parliamentary term expires. The commission aims to release the report on these changes by August 28, with the final report expected to be published in December.
As of now, the Parliament’s current term is set to expire on May 30 next year. With 87 members in the 19th Parliament, the matter of increasing the number of members has become a pressing concern for the public. However, resolving this issue would necessitate Constitutional amendments, which the current Parliament has been unable to achieve.
