Vice President of Villingili island in Gaaf Alif atoll and campaign manager of joint opposition coalition, Ameez Hassan has been remanded for ten days following his arrest on the day of the election.

Ameez’s brother Habeeb Hassan, who is also a member of the island council, revealed that Ameez was arrested from the vote queue, having arrived back in the island after some time away. However, he had not been arrested under a court order and officers had attained the court order after Ameez was taken into police custody. Police had revealed that Ameez had been arrested with the absence of a court order, at the remand hearing on Sunday.

Habeeb revealed that a court order had been issued twice on different occasions previously as well. However, the police had not been successful in arresting him at those times.

Ameez’s brother added that his voting rights were obstructed due to the officials present at the polling station. Police had initially told Ameez that he would be able to vote, however, officials at the polling station had refused to let him vote, having asserted that a wanted individual may not be able to vote, although Ameez’s arrest came without the required court warrant.

Habeeb further stated that his arrest was conspired by authorities and officials at the polling station that represented the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives.

When contacted for a comment on the matter, Maldives Police Service (MPS) had confirmed that Ameez was arrested under a court order.