HRCM shares Covid-19 election worries with EC, HPA

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) have shared concerns with the Elections Commission (EC) and Health Protection Agency (HPA) ahead of the Local Council and Women's Development Committee (WDC) Elections scheduled to be held on Saturday.

HRCM shared there concerns as the commission had noted procedures that might limit the right to vote for citizens in the elections, due to changes brought to the elections procedure in light of difficulties presented by the global Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition to this, the HRCM noted that every citizen was a reserved a right to their health and safety, just as they were afforded the right to vote under the constitution. As such, the HRCM highlighted changes brought to voting procedure in 2021 due to Covid-19 as ones that might infringe on the right of health of citizens, along with their right to cast a vote in democratic elections.

The HRCM went on to issue recommendations to EC and HPA to resolve their concerns ahead of the Local Council and WDC Elections.

The Elections Commission, Health Protection Agency and the Human Rights Commission of Maldives have been working to ensure that all citizens are afforded their rights while undertaking the task of hosting elections amid a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Maldives.