Placing only seven polling stations in resorts undermines voters’ rights: MP
The MP said that while many Maldivians are working in resorts, it is concerning that only seven resorts will have ballot boxes
North Mahchangolhi MP Mariya Ahmed Didi
President Abdulla Yameen’s government is working to take away the rights of voters by placing polling stations in only seven resorts, says North Mahchangolhi MP Mariya Ahmed Didi.
MP Mariya Didi, who is also the spokesperson of Joint Opposition presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, said this in a press conference at Salt Café on Monday.
The MP said that while many Maldivians are working in resorts, it is concerning that only seven resorts will have ballot boxes. President Abdulla Yameen’s government is trying to take away the voting rights of resort workers, she said.
While 452 polling stations are to be established for September’s election, MP Didi said only seven resorts will have them, and that they are: The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Bandos Maldives, Kuramathi Island Resort, Paradise Island Resort, and Sun Island Resort, and Kurendhoo Island Resort.
Noting that 43 resorts had polling stations in the 2013 presidential election, MP Didi said that, this time, the EC did not even confirm whether they would establish polling stations in resorts that have 250 registered voters.
She said that five polling stations were setup abroad in 2013 but that has been reduced to four for September’s election. She said that polling stations will be in Sri Lanka, the UK, Malaysia, and India, but that none will be in Singapore.
She added that while two ballot boxes will be in Sri Lanka, it is concerning that the EC stated that one box is only for city residents while the other is for atoll residents.
