Parliamentary candidates 2019: 360 men, 35 women

The upcoming parliamentary elections will have only 35 female contenders, reports Elections Commission (EC).

Parliamentary Elections 2019 is scheduled to be held on April 6. Submission of candidacy applications closed last Thursday.

Speaking during a press conference this Saturday morning, President of EC, Ahmed Shareef announced the commission received 403 candidacy applications for the elections, but accepted only 395 applications.

“Therefore, if no one else withdraws from the race, the elections will have 395 contenders,” said Shareef.

Of the 395 contenders, 360 contenders are males and only 35 contenders are female.

The percentage of woman contesting the elections is 8.73 percent with only 35 contenders, while the percentage of men contesting the elections is 91 percent with 360 contenders.

Shareef, during the press conference, expressed concern over the percentage of female contenders.

Meanwhile, 71 of the 395 contenders (63 males and 8 females) are below the age of 35 years.

CANDIDATES BY POLITICAL PARTY:

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP): 86 candidates

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP): 5 candidates

Adhaalath Party (AP): 9 candidates

Jumhoory Party (JP): 41 candidates

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM): 26 candidates

Maldives Development Alliance (MDA): 8 candidates

Maldives Third-Way Democrats (MTD): 10 candidates

Maldives Labor and Social Democratic Party: 9 candidates

People’s National Congress (PNC): 23 candidates

Independent candidates: 186 candidates