EC president denies allegations of Indian interference in 2018 presidential elections

President of the Elections Commission of Maldives (EC), Ahmed Shareef, has responded to allegations of foreign interference in the 2018 presidential elections.

In response to allegations of interference by the Indian government in the 2018 presidential elections made by the coalition between Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Peoples National Congress (PNC), Shareef stated that the opposition is spreading false information following Speaker Nasheed's recent trip to India where he thanked Indian diplomats during an interview to a media agency of the neighbouring country.

Shareef expressed his astonishment claiming he does not understand how the opposition interpreted Nasheed's interview as evidence of foreign interference in the last presidential elections. He also added that while the opposition may have comprehended it that way, no one else shares their perception.

Shareef went onto reiterate that there was no interference in the last year's presidential elections by any organisation, foreign country or government.

Additionally, he guaranteed that the 2018 presidential election was an independent and transparent election.

He also stated that the commission was unbiased towards both former president Abdulla Yameen and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during the presidential race and that no efforts were made to undermine or boost either candidate.

Shareef highlighted that despite the opposition's allegations, international organisations and the majority of Maldivian citizens have full confidence in the incumbent government as well as the validity of the last election.