A list of media outlets that can vote in the election for the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission under the new control law was publicised on Sunday.
The new commission has seven members. Four of them will be elected, while the remaining three will be appointed by the government-controlled parliament.
The Elections Commission (EC) has scheduled the election for October 11 and is now accepting candidacies and complaints for the voters' list.
The list has 335 media outlets, including magazines and websites that do not operate on a regular basis.
They include the Sarukaaru (Government) published on the President's Office website and the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) magazine Addana (Shield)
The list also includes news websites and magazines registered by multiple government companies, such as Fenaka and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL).
Each outlet on the voters' list can cast one ballot.
Under the media control law, an interim executive committee was appointed on September 21 to decide on cases submitted to the commission and issue licenses to newly established media outlets until the commission members are elected and appointed.
The new commission will have the power to regulate social media, impose hefty fines and shut down media outlets.
It sets out the rules for media ethics and empowers the commission to determine what information endangers public interest.
