The Elections Commission of Maldives (EC) has officially announced a search for qualified legal consultants to provide expert advisory services regarding complaints and legal matters submitted to the commission. According to the announcement released today, the commission is seeking a consultancy partner for a term of one year.

Interested parties who meet the specified criteria are invited to submit their bids. The commission confirmed that the bid-opening session is scheduled to take place at the Elections Commission headquarters on the first of next month. This move comes at a time when the commission faces an increasing volume of legal challenges related to political party activities.

The eligibility requirements for applicants are notably stringent. Candidates must not be active in politics or affiliated with political activities. Furthermore, the consultant must be licensed to practice law before the Supreme Court of the Maldives and possess a minimum of three years of experience litigating within the highest court.

While most major government institutions maintain permanent internal legal departments, the Elections Commission has not specified the reason for seeking external legal counsel at this time. However, legal experts note that professional advice is critical for the commission when navigating the complexities of political disputes and taking enforcement actions.