Officers of the Maldives Police Service have pushed back members of the Joint Opposition coalition when they had arrived at the Elections Commission premises to discuss the EC’s publicization of the list of eligible voters for the approaching September polls.
The opposition coalition had requested at the commission to share with them, the voter’s list along with details.
As such, the opposition had even filed a letter appealing for the voters list to be shared with them. The letter asks the commission to share a detailed list of eligible voters in the upcoming Presidential Election, in order to ensure the validity of the list. The letter also noted points of various concern that had come across the opposition during the time window for re-registration was opened.
The opposition coalition also asserted that they will be taking legal measures against persons who show negligence or recklessness in carrying out their duties and responsibilities at the commission, if such as situation arises.
When the clock struck 05:00 p m, the time in which the Elections Commission office officially closes, officers of the MPS had arrived at the area and asked the members of the opposition coalition to leave the area.
Speaking to press regarding this issue, main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s Deputy Chairperson Ali Niyaz said that the validity of the voter’s list will not be ensured if they do not receive the complete list, and that various complaints have surfaced even now, that persons who had not even submitted forms for re-registration had been registered to different regions across the globe.
“These doubts will not be cleared, with a rejected list. They will be cleared once we get a copy of the list of 262,141 eligible voters along with their ID details. They still have not reached a solution for these matters as well. A credible source revealed to us that the list has reached Muleeaage now” said Niyaz.
The deputy chairperson added that members of the commission need to hand in their resignation letters and vacate their posts with how far things have gone. HE added that these works are being done for President Abdulla Yameen under influence.
Niyaz further said that the opposition will not allow this to happen.
Further speaking to press, Jumhooree Party’s Secretary General Ahmed Sameer said that the commission is not carrying out their duties the way it must be done, adding that they need to investigate complaints thoroughly.
“EC needs to accept the complaints filed by political parties. Legal measures need to be taken to avoid such issues surfacing” said Sameer.
The Presidential Election slated for the 23rd of September comprises of 262,141 eligible voters and the EC plans to place a total of 491 ballot boxes across the nation, with the, EC having sent the ballot boxes and polling booths to outlying atolls.
