Elections Commissioner Ahmed Shareef has stated that the ballot papers, used in September’s presidential election “were destroyed seven days after the period to retain them”.

Shareef said this via a tweet, after being summoned to the police service for questioning over the matter.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Commission held a press conference where they revealed that the ballot papers have been shredded and that they will be destroyed with the help of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

“The ballot papers were destroyed seven days after the given period to retain them. EC has not been informed a court case involving the ballot papers, or any such investigations by the police,” reads Shareef’s tweet.

The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), who has accused the Commission of electoral fraud, later described the shredding as a form of trickery, and called on the police to hold the members accountable over the matter.