Parliament has passed the bill to annul votes that have scribblings in addition to the common checkmark on ballot papers.
The People’s Majlis made the amendment to the Elections Act at Monday’s sitting, with 53 members voting in favor.
No alterations were made to the bill and it was passed as is. The bill was initially forwarded upon submission on the 27th of February, to a temporary five-member committee.
The five-member committee comprised of MP for Dhangethi constituency Ilham Ahmed, Kelaa constituency MP Ali Arif, Hulhudhoo constituency MP Mohamed Shahid, Maradhoo constituency MP Mohamed Shareef and Kudahuvadhoo constituency MP Ahmed Amir.
This is the second bill seeking to amend the Elections Act, submitted by opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM).
The first was one submitted during the Presidential Election in September 2018. Back then the bill sought to declare ballot papers that have scribblings on them, valid.
However, the second bill seeks to declare ballot papers that have any form of writing or scribbling on them besides the checkmark as void.
The bill was submitted by opposition MP for Addu-Hulhudhoo constituency Mohamed Shahid.
The amendment will be implemented once the government enacts the bill and publicizes it on the gazette.
The Elections Commission is set to hold the Parliamentary Election on the 6th of April.
