EC opens applications as two islands head to delayed WDC elections next month

The Elections Commission (EC) has opened applications for the Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections in the two sparsely populated islands of M. Raiymandhoo and V. Rakeedhoo, scheduled to be held on the 20th of next month.

Local council and WDC elections were held nationwide on April 4.

In an announcement issued Sunday, the EC said the number of candidates for the WDC committees in Rakeedhoo and Raiymandhoo was insufficient during the application period held from January 17 to February 1.

Therefore, the commission has decided to conduct elections in these two islands on the 20th of next month.

According to the EC, each WDC committee will elect a chairperson and two members. Applications will be accepted until 15:00 on the 18th of this month.

Rakeedhoo has a population of fewer than 100 people, while Raiymandhoo has around 240 residents.

The opposition MDP won most of the key seats in last month’s council and WDC elections.