Elections Commission of the Maldives (EC) has revealed that the Parliamentary Elections 2024 will be held on March 17th.

The Election Commission (EC) said in a statement that the decision to prepone the parliamentary elections scheduled for this year was taken since it coincides with the month of Ramadan, and holding it after the Ramadan causes great administrative challenges due to the academic calendar. According to the academic calendar, the week starting after the Eid holiday is the examination period, which will greatly reduce the number of available voting centers for the commission.

This year's Ramadan will start on March 11, according to the calendar.

The term of the current 19th parliament expires on May 28 this year. Therefore, 30 days before the expiry of the term of the current parliament, that is, before April 28, parliamentary elections must be held and all relevant matters must be completed.

According to the law, elections must be held 120 days before the expiry of the term of members. Therefore, the opportunity should be opened to those who wish to contest the elections within 10 days after the 28th of this month.

EC Vice President Ismail Habib had earlier said that the nomination period would be closed on 15th of this month and the draw of candidates could be held on 17th of next month.

Habib had earlier said the election could be held on March 19 after doing so within the time limit stipulated in the laws. However, it is the ninth day of Ramadan and the tests for grade 10 school children will be held from March 17 to 28.

Therefore, the earliest date for the election is March 30, which is the 20th day of Ramadan.

The parliamentary committee on the date of the parliamentary elections recommended to the EC to hold the elections after Ramadan. Even if the election is held after the end of Ramadan, the EC will be able to hold the election within 30 days (30 days before the end of the current parliamentary session). However, the Election Commission has said that it will be difficult to do so in the event of a second round.