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ECM to punish any political party involved in the National Stadium incident

Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has stated action will be taken against any political party found to have been involved in the disruption of the International Yoga Day event held at the Galolhu National Stadium on June 21.

In a statement released on June 21, ECM stated it strongly condemns the violent and aggressive disruption of the event held at the National Stadium, creating fear and panic among foreign ambassadors, diplomats and other individuals who attended the event. ECM stated if the Maldives Police Service (MPS) finds the involvement of any political party in the incident, legal action will be taken against the party as per Clause 45 and 49 of the Political Parties Act.

The perpetrators had sought to incite fear by forcefully entering, destroying property, and attempting to assault participants of the event. The event was attended by international diplomats, state dignitaries, and members of the public.

The Serious and Organised Crime Department of the Crime Investigation Command of the MPS is investigating the incident with utmost urgency. As of now, the evidence indicates that the demonstrators were using items taken from the office of the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), the police said. So far, six male Maldivians have been taken into custody in relation to the case.