Electoral complaints may be lodged at different locations of the Elections Commission Complaints Bureau – the central office in Male’, Atoll/City Complaints Bureaus or Island Focal Points. However, local mechanisms for electoral dispute resolution are almost non-existent. Most election complaints are delivered to the national complaints bureau rather than being resolved by bodies at the local level. The inadequate training for local polling officers is believed to be the main cause of complaints and incidents of violence.
A person can file a petition with the High Court if they are dissatisfied with a decision of the commission, or if they find a person is acting in violation of the laws and regulations related to elections. However, if any person conducts a criminal offence in contravention of election laws and regulations, only the Elections Commissions can refer the matter to the High Court through the Prosecutor General.
Source :
Elections in the Republic of Maldives: September 7 Presidential Elections Frequently Asked Questions, IFES, 2013, http://www.ifes.org/sites/default/files/maldives_faq_final.pdf.
Promoting Local Election Management as Part of an Electoral Cycle Approach, UNDP, 2013, https://www.ec-undp-electoralassistance.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/undp-contents-publications-promoting-local-election-management-as-part-of-an-electoral-cycle-approach-English.pdf.