Joint Opposition heads to EC over MCS re-registration issue

Maldives’ opposition parties have filed a complaint with the Elections Commission over re-registration forms submitted through correctional authorities allegedly not being filed.

Members of the Maumoon Reform Movement, part of the Joint Opposition, said that they have received information that forms filed through the Maldives Correctional Services (MCS) were never sent to the commission.

Galolhu-south constituency MP Ahmed Mahloof, who is facing terror allegations, said that he had applied to re-register through the MCS, four days ago and yet he has not registered to vote thus far.

Further, MP Mahloof said that other inmates that applied for re-registration weeks ago have yet to be re-registered.

Mahloof had earlier raised similar concerns. He said voters that re-registered at stations set up by the ruling party and at government offices have expressed concern over not receiving slips as proof of their registration.

The sentiments come at a time when the Joint Opposition, a coalition of incumbent President Abdulla Yameen’s opponents, has alleged an ongoing effort is afoot to withhold the re-registration forms of those that do not support President Yameen’s bid for re-election.

The Joint Opposition has said that such individuals, mostly state employees, that applied through the ruling party’s mobile stations and government offices will have their forms withheld and they will not reach the Elections Commission.