EC asks govt to declare two public holidays for new polling date
The request is being made as a large number of government employees are involved in the election process as officials, Fuad said.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
The Election Commission (EC) has said that it would request a total of two days to be declared as public holidays for the parliamentary elections scheduled in April, including April 21, as it is an official working day of the government.
The commission's chairman Fuad Thaufeeg told Atoll Times on Sunday that since April 21st coincides with a Sunday, which is the first day of a working week in Maldives, EC will request the government to close that Sunday along with the 22nd of April, Monday as well.
“Earlier, even during the former President Maumoon's government, when elections were held on Saturdays, Sundays were closed because the election work was not completed. So I am sure the President [Mohammed Muizzu] will also close those days,” Fuad said.
The request is being made as a large number of government employees are involved in the election process as officials and to make it easier for people to come out to vote, Fuad said.
The EC originally scheduled the election for the 17th of this month. However, the Election Commission postponed the election to April 21 after Ramadan following an amendment to the General Election Act.
According to the amendment to the Election Act that was ratified last Thursday:
-
No elections can be held during Ramadan
-
If an election coincides during that period, it must be held 10 days after the end of Ramadan
In addition, the Constitution also requires the EC to complete all matters relating to the election 30 days before the start of the new parliamentary session. Thus:
-
The current 19th parliamentary term expires on May 28
-
Therefore, all the election arrangements must be completed before April 28
