Elections Commission has revealed that the ballot papers for the upcoming Parliamentary Election are to have a special EC stamp on them with other security features.

EC Chief Ahmed Shareef stated that the stamps will be put as a further assurance from the commission, apart from the security features.

These stamps, to be visible on both sides of the ballot paper, will assure observers and monitors that the ballot being cast is indeed valid and is being planted following issues that surfaced during the Presidential Election held in September 2018.

“We made the decision to plant the stamps following issues that surfaced in September’s ballots. The stamp will be visible on both sides of the paper. The stamp is to ensure that the ballot being cast, is from the designated ballot paper” said Shareef.

Shareef further assured the public that the commission does not intend to print the ballot papers from abroad this time as well.

Bids for interested printing companies will be open in the commencing week.

507 ballot boxes are to be placed across the nation for the approaching Parliamentary Election scheduled for April.

59 out of the 507 ballot boxes will be for Male’ residents, 82 for atoll residents living in Male’, 306 for outlying atolls and cities, 39 for resorts, five at detention facilities and 12 abroad.