President declares election day a holiday
The Elections Commission had drawn criticism for holding the election on a week day
Election day in 2013
President Abdulla Yameen has declared 23 September, election day, as a public holiday.
Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Ibrahim Muaz Ali revealed this via twitter on Sunday, adding that government offices and institutions will be re-opened on the following day, 24th September.
The Elections Commission had drawn criticism from the general public and the opposition, for deciding to hold the ballots on a week day. The opposition had continued to claim that this was done to narrow the possibilities of state employees casting their votes.
Former Attorney General Husnu Al Suood had even filed an appeal at the Supreme Court to declare the day of the ballots a holiday in order to make it more convenient for eligible voters, however, the Supreme Court had thrown out the case last week as it does not believe if fits under the constitutional conventions under court regulations.
While the September poll is almost upon us, candidates who are contesting are ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) candidate President Abdulla Yameen and opposition coalition’s Presidential hopeful Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
An independent candidate, Hussain Naseer had submitted his candidacy papers last week, but the EC had rejected his candidacy.
Former Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer and former Vice President of the Local Government Authority, Shujau Hussain had even submitted their bids for candidacy, having withdrawn them later. Naseer said that he had done so because the current political situation in the country does not allow for a leader with clear principles to contest the election.
