The Elections Commission (EC) has announced that the upcoming Local Council Elections and Women's Development Committee Elections are now scheduled for March 28 of next year.

These elections were previously scheduled for April.

Speaking on PSM's "Raajje Miadhu" program last night, EC President Mohamed Zahid said that applications for candidacy in these elections will open on January 17 next year.

Zahid stated that this time, candidates for the council elections will need to submit their candidacy through the Elections Commission's online portal.

"This time, candidates will submit their candidacy digitally through our online portal. We plan to open this after announcing the election," Zahid said.

Zahid further mentioned that the process of recruiting and training staff for the administrative work of the Local Council and Women's Development Committee Elections is currently progressing rapidly. He also said that before the elections, EC teams will visit the atolls to conduct awareness programs.