EC working to ‘hoodwink’ int'l community with 'elaborate' English statement: Nasheed

Following the Elections Commission (EC)’s decision to respond to allegations via an English statement, former President Mohamed Nasheed has accused it of attempting ‘to hoodwink the international community’.

The Commission, in its statement issued on Thursday, detailed the elections vote counting process emphasizing that it will be carried out as per previous years, as stated under the Elections General Act.

In a tweet sent out afterwards, Nasheed said that the Commission ‘is attempting to hoodwink the international community by announcing elaborate procedures while those at ballot boxes still have the same rigging instruction.’

He further urged the Commission to ‘inform their officials of the procedures EC has agreed to, in writing.

There have been multiple allegations against the Elections Commission, including creating opportunities for vote rigging and voter fraud, especially with plans to change the vote counting process with the introduction of electronic tablets.

Human Rights Watch on Wednesday emphasized that such a change threatens prospects for a free and fair election, adding that “if officials are manipulating the way votes are counted, it will deny the Maldivian people’s right to choose their president’.

HRW added that Maldivian authorities ‘have detained critics, muzzled the media, and misused the Election Commission to obstruct opposition candidates to ensure President Yameen a victory on election day’.

In addition, local reports indicate that United Nations and European Union have decided against observing Sunday’s election, with an UN source telling local news outlet Mihaaru that the environment in Maldives is ‘not conducive for support’.

Furthermore, while the EU has passed a framework to impose sanctions on human rights abusers in Maldives, UK’s ambassador to Maldives James Dauris said that ‘it depends on how free and fair September’s elections are’.