The Election Commission of the Maldives (EC) has ordered the opening of a special bank account (newly opened account) in a bank operating in the Maldives to cover all election-related expenses of each candidate.

In a series of tweets, Election Commission Vice President Ismail Habib said that the account should be opened in the name of the candidate.

Habib said that every presidential candidate should make all election-related expenses through the newly opened bank account. He also said that all the funds received by the candidate in the run-up to the elections should also be credited to the newly opened account.

Habib said that the EC had consulted the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) to ensure that such an account could be easily opened for candidates and that MMA would arrange it in consultation with the banks.

Applications to contest in the elections are open till July 23. As per the existing provisions of the act, candidates will get 14 days to file their applications in this regard.