If current trends continue, electronic voting will be introduced in the Maldives under the guise of cost-cutting; we must remain vigilant against this: Dr. Shamheed

Ahmed Shamheed, the Member of Parliament for the South Hulhumale' constituency, has warned that if current trends continue, the government may introduce an electronic voting system in the Maldives under the guise of cost-cutting. He urged the public to remain vigilant regarding this potential shift.

He made these remarks while speaking at a press conference hosted by the MDP Parliamentary Group.

Dr. Shamheed stated that the government’s proposal to synchronize parliamentary and presidential elections was presented under the guise of cost-cutting measures. He further warned that if the public accepts the consolidation of elections as a means of reducing expenditure, it would pave the way for further structural changes to the voting system under the same pretext.

"If the public accepts these measures under the guise of cost-cutting, the next step will be the introduction of electronic voting. There would be no need to travel to islands or print ballot papers. With just the press of a button, the results would be generated from somewhere in Estonia," Shamheed said.

Shamheed stated that the government is currently formulating a long-term development plan without the involvement of any other political parties. He further noted that the government is expected to claim that an additional term in office is necessary to implement this plan. According to Shamheed, the government is proceeding in this manner because it intends to extend its rule for 20 years. He emphasized that all these actions are being carried out as part of a highly calculated strategy.

Shamheed stated that if a public referendum is held on the synchronization of elections, the public must come out and vote against it. He argued that once the people elect representatives for a five-year term, no other entity should have the authority to shorten or extend that mandate.