Maldives election: opposition shares concerns regarding Elections Commission

Maldives' Joint Opposition has shared concerns regarding the Elections Commission (EC), especially the voter re-registration process for September's polls.

Representatives of all four opposition parties- Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhooree Party (JP), Adhaalath Party and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's breakaway faction of the ruling party or the 'Maumoon's Reform Movement'- gave a press conference on Wednesday night, where they detailed the various concerns regarding the presidential elections.

While thousands of voters reside overseas, work in resorts or live in the capital with their official residence elsewhere, the Elections Commission, government offices and political parties have been holding re-registration drives 'to make the process easier for eligible voters'.

Highlighting this, MDP's deputy chairperson Ali Niyaz said that the Joint Opposition has submitted the highest number of applications for re-registration thus far.

However, he noted that they are yet to receive the 'original slips' from the Commission, confirming their re-registrations.

While the Commission opened the opportunity for voters to re-register on July 17, Niyaz said that they have not received the slips for the applications they had submitted on July 18

Noting that EC had given them 'a different excuse' when inquired on the matter, Niyaz said that 'this is being done to deprive individuals of their right to vote'.

JP's secretary general Ahmed Sameer accused the government of obstructing the right to equal and independent campaigning.

He said that the Commission's decision to handover the fingerprint process to the police, to confirm the validity of re-registration applicants, is a concern as well.

Adhaalath's Human Rights Committee Chair Ahmed Nu'maan highlighted the difficulties for resort workers, including 'requiring from employees to get their forms stamped by their employer', especially to those on leave during the time period given for re-registration.

Aminath Nadhira represented former President Maumoon at Wednesday's press conference, and highlighted that issues are even arising to those that re-registered directly at the Elections Commission.

While the first round of presidential elections is scheduled for September 23, eligible voters can re-register until August 11.