Validity of the September ballots has been compromised: Former Minister

When the database and confidential information of voters for the upcoming Presidential Election, that is supposed to be secured by the Elections Commission reaches a candidate vying for Presidency, there will not even be a trace of validity left in the election, says former Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam.

Speaking to press after a meeting with Elections Commissioner Ahmed Shareef, Aslam said that this is a major concern for the public which has been shared with the members at the commission.

“Everything down to re-registration, ID numbers of eligible voters, voters’ locations, whom they voted for and how they cast their votes, this is all data. There will be no trace of validity left in the election, once the data reaches someone who it must never reach, in particular someone who is vying for Presidency. It doesn’t matter how the data got out, who leaked it, what matters is the confidentiality has been lost” said Aslam.

The former Minister said that there is no way the approaching September ballots will be that of a fair and valid one now, asserting that he does not believe there is a way to revive this either. Aslam went on to say that a thorough investigation needs to be conducted in this case and that the persons behind this scam need to be penalized.

Stressing on the seriousness of the issue of leaked information, Aslam said that the Elections Commission owes an explanation to the citizens of Maldives, especially the ones whose confidentiality has been lost.