President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has ratified the third amendment to the Local Council Elections Act (Act No. 10/2010). The amendment bill was passed by the parliament on Tuesday, 22nd November 2016, at the thirteenth sitting of the third session of the People’s Majlis. On ratification, the Act has now been published on the Government Gazette.
With the amendment to the Local Council Elections Act, if a voter has ticked the names of more candidates than required for the specific council, then that vote will be invalidated. However, if a voter has ticked fewer names than required, the vote will be valid and the Elections Commission will count the vote for names ticked and consider those unticked as votes not received and absolute.