Locations of several polling stations changed following issue raised by Meekail
The decision to relocate polling stations in four islands to schools follows formal complaints lodged by candidate Meekail Ahmed Naseem, who questioned the fairness of the election after the boxes were initially scheduled to be placed in political party centers.
Member of Parliament for South Galolhu, Meekail Ahmed Naseem, speaks at the launching ceremony of the "Ithubaaru" campaign. | Shifaz (Sotti)
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has relocated several polling stations following complaints that the party’s election committee was acting in a manner that compromised the fairness of the upcoming chairperson election.
The complaint was submitted to the party's administrative office by Meekail Ahmed Naseem, the Member of Parliament for the South Galolhu constituency, who is also contesting for the position of chairperson.
In a letter sent to MDP’s interim chairperson Abdul Ghafoor Moosa on Monday, Meekail expressed concern over the committee chair’s recent decision to place ballot boxes in party centers across four islands. This decision reportedly overrides the committee’s initial plan to station the boxes at local schools. Mikael stated that the decision to relocate the ballot boxes to party centers in F. Feeali, L. Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo, L. Mathimaradhoo, and Ga. Villingili—without any justifiable reason—raises serious questions regarding the fairness and integrity of the election.
In response to these complaints, the MDP released an announcement on Tuesday detailing changes to the polling station locations for four islands. Accordingly, the ballot box for Feeali has been moved to the Faafu Atoll School, while the boxes for Isdhoo and Kalaidhoo will now be placed at Isdhoo School and Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo School, respectively. Furthermore, the polling station for L. Mathimaradhoo has been relocated to the Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani School in Gan, and the Villingili ballot box has been moved to the Gaafu Alif Atoll Education Centre.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed is set to compete against Meekail in the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) chairperson election, scheduled for June 12, 2026. As excitement for the election builds, senior party officials have been traveling to various islands to conduct campaign activities. The party stated that the recent changes regarding the placement of ballot boxes were implemented as a measure to ensure the electoral process remains transparent.
