Referendum votes scheduled for counting at midnight; another attempt at manipulation: Niyaz
Concerns have been raised that scheduling the referendum vote count for late at night alongside the local council elections is a deliberate attempt to influence the results in the absence of observers. Expressing further alarm over the decision not to place ballot boxes overseas and the overall organization of the polls, Niyaz alleged that the government and the Elections Commission are colluding to keep the public in the dark.
Former Hulhumale' MP Ali Niyaz speaks at a press conference held by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Friday. | RaajjeMV | RaajjeMV
Former Hulhumale' MP Ali Niyaz has stated that the vote counting for the referendum on synchronizing presidential and parliamentary elections is scheduled to take place during the late-night hours.
Speaking at a press conference held by the MDP on Friday, Niyaz stated that the referendum being held alongside the local council elections is a significant national vote, and as such, the opportunity to participate must be extended to as many people as possible. He expressed concern over the fact that no ballot boxes are being placed in any foreign countries.
Referring to the sequence of the vote counting process, Niyaz stated that the council election ballots will be counted first, followed by the counting and announcement of results for the Women's Development Committee (WDC) election. He further noted that, according to information provided by the Elections Commission, the results of the referendum vote are scheduled to be announced after those processes are completed.
Niyaz stated that the decision to count the referendum votes and announce the results late at night is clearly evident, further asserting that this is another attempt to keep the public in the dark.
The monitors and observers currently assigned to the local council elections are focused solely on those specific proceedings. Their interests and observations are entirely dedicated to the local council elections. Once those results are finalized, some will celebrate their victories while others will return home in disappointment. Consequently, there will be no one left at the polling stations to oversee the remaining processes. When we contested this local council election, we identified approximately 30 islands where we lack observers and monitors. Who will be there at the ballot boxes to observe or monitor the proceedings in those locations? We need that opportunity. Therefore, these are very significant concerns for us.Ali Niyaz, the former Member of Parliament for the Hulhumale' constituency.
Furthermore, Niyaz stated that the entire electoral process is being conducted in a manner that ensures the outcomes discussed during the secret meeting between President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and the President of the Elections Commission, Mohamed Zahid, are achieved.
He stated that despite numerous concerns, he does not expect a resolution to be reached.
