Threshold set for placing ballot boxes abroad and in industrial islands is an unprecedentedly high figure: Waheed

Abdulla Waheed, the MDP spokesperson for the local council elections and President of the Dhihdhoo constituency, has stated that the threshold set by the Elections Commission to place ballot boxes abroad and in industrial islands is unprecedentedly high. He alleged that this move was intentionally designed to hinder the establishment of polling stations in those locations, reflecting the government's reluctance to facilitate voting there.

Speaking at a press conference held by the MDP on Thursday, Waheed stated that one of the key issues observed regarding the election proceedings was the concerns surrounding the registration process for industrial islands, resorts, and overseas polling stations. In this regard, he noted that the threshold set by the Elections Commission for placing ballot boxes in Sri Lanka and Malaysia was significantly higher than the requirements used in any previous election.

Waheed stated that the Elections Commission had decided that ballot boxes would not be placed in any of those areas unless at least 2,000 people registered to vote there. He further noted that this resulted in the Commission announcing that no ballot boxes would be stationed in any of those specific locations.

We have profound concerns regarding this matter. In the Maldives, ballot boxes are placed even on islands with populations as small as 400 people. However, we observe that the Maldivian populations living in Sri Lanka and Malaysia exceed 2,000. The decision to require such a high number of registrations to place ballot boxes in those locations suggests that the Elections Commission lacks genuine intent and is actively working to deprive many citizens of their right to vote. We have noted that there are numerous underlying reasons behind the decision not to place ballot boxes in those regions. These actions were carried out in a manner that provides an immense advantage to the government.

Abdulla Waheed, Spokesperson for the Council Elections

Waheed stated that the government, certain of losing the support of students pursuing higher education abroad due to unpaid allowances, has utilized the Elections Commission to ensure that no polling stations are established in those locations.

Waheed stated that efforts are underway to bring all embassy staff to Male' at the government's expense to facilitate their voting in the capital.

Today, we witnessed the Elections Commission acting in a manner that effectively disenfranchises individuals in those specific areas. We reiterate our call that the Commission must conduct this election in a way that ensures maximum participation and allows as many citizens as possible to cast their votes. This is especially crucial when holding two elections simultaneously; the necessary accommodations must be made to facilitate this process. Since the beginning of the preparations for this election, we have been expressing our concerns regarding the Commission's conduct. It is evident from all the organizational arrangements that the Commission is yielding to government influence. The entire process appears to be structured in a way that systematically prevents eligible voters from exercising their right to vote.

Abdulla Waheed, Spokesperson for the Council Elections

Waheed stated that he hopes the Elections Commission will arrange its procedures to ensure that as many citizens as possible are able to cast their votes in this election. He further noted that the current thresholds set by the Commission for placing ballot boxes abroad and in industrial islands must be lowered to facilitate voting in those areas.