Elections Commission (EC) has stated that they are yet to arrive at a decision on using e-voting system in this year’s Presidential Elections.

Speaking to RaajjeMV EC Secretary General Ahmed Ali confirmed this, refusing to answer additional and follow-up questions posed.

However, RaajjeMV understands that the Commission was in the process of bringing in e-voting systems which are to be used sometime this year.

EC had tried to use e-voting in last year’s Local Council Elections. However, the idea was dropped as all parties, except for ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives, shot down the idea.

EC President Ahmed Sulaiman said the e-voting system will only be used to count ballots. He also said the option to count ballots manually was also there. He added that the system will not be connencted to the internet.

European Union’s mission to the Maldives two years ago said that e-voting was not a feasible option for a population of 350,000. Additionally, they said that the EC must be able to prove that by using this system, it will contribute to strengthening democracy.