Officials from the Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) have successfully concluded an intensive five-day international workshop held in New Delhi, India, focused on strengthening electoral resilience and enhancing risk management strategies to address emerging threats to democratic processes.

 

The ECM delegation comprised Ms. Fathimath Zuhudha, Trainer at the Civic Education and Training Section, and Mr. Mohamed Naahil, Officer at the Finance Section. The program titled “Workshop on Risk Management and Electoral Resilience,” was conducted from 25 to 29 May 2026 at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management in Dwarka, New Delhi. The workshop was organized by IIIDEM in collaboration with International IDEA and implemented under the international cooperation framework of India’s 2026 Chairship Program of International IDEA.

 

The capacity-building initiative aimed to integrate structured risk management frameworks into the core functions of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), thereby safeguarding electoral integrity and strengthening institutional trust in increasingly complex environments. Throughout the program, participants engaged in a series of technical sessions covering risk identification, assessment, analysis, communication, and mitigation across various stages of the electoral cycle.

 

In addition, delegates received hands-on training on the Electoral Risk Management (ERM) Tool, a specialized software platform that enables election authorities to systematically identify, monitor, and manage electoral risks through customized risk factor libraries and dynamic risk registers.

 

Participants also took part in interactive tabletop exercises and crisis management simulations replicating a range of potential electoral challenges, including logistical disruptions, political tensions, disinformation campaigns, and cyber threats. These exercises provided valuable opportunities to apply risk management principles in realistic operational scenarios and to strengthen decision-making under pressure.

 

As part of the program, the workshop included a field exposure visit outside the capital, offering participants firsthand insight into electoral administration at the provincial level. During the visit, delegates conducted site observations and engaged directly with district administration officials, including Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Tehsildars. Discussions focused on localized electoral planning, field-level risk mitigation measures, real-time crisis response mechanisms, and the practical challenges of inter-agency coordination during polling operations.

 

The invitation extended by the Election Commission of India and the participation of ECM officials further reflect the warm and longstanding professional relationship between the Elections Commission of the Maldives and its Indian counterpart.

 

The knowledge, technical expertise, and strategic risk management frameworks acquired through the programme are expected to significantly strengthen ECM’s institutional preparedness, enhance operational resilience, and support the continued development of effective and adaptive electoral management practices in the Maldives.