The Elections Commission (EC) has announced that local council elections will be held in March next year, with the nomination process scheduled to open in January.

Speaking on PSM’s Raajje Miadhu programme on Sunday, Elections Commission Chairman Mohamed Zahid said preparations for the polls were progressing according to plan.

According to Zahid, the election is scheduled for 28 March, and nominations will open on 17 January.

“This is the date that is currently scheduled. Hopefully, we will continue to work towards that,” Zahid said.

He added that the election is expected to cost between MVR 70 million and MVR 80 million, though efforts are being made to reduce expenses. To minimise paper use and administrative costs, nominations will be submitted online for the first time.

Zahid said the commission will begin nationwide voter awareness programmes next month, continuing through December, to encourage public participation in the upcoming elections. The awareness campaign will be conducted across 12 atolls.