The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has taken action against an observer from a political party and a representative of a candidate for harassing some of the international observers during the first round of voting in the presidential election held on September 9.
As such, ECM stated that the two individuals have been suspended from working as an observer, monitor, representative, or electoral officials in the second round of voting scheduled for September 30, and in the next two national elections. ECM also stated that the commission will allow the party to replace the suspended officials with two others.
ECM did not specify which political party the two individuals were associated with or the precise location of the incident.
This year's presidential election marked a significant milestone, as it witnessed the largest-ever contingent of observers and monitors. Over 1,700 observers, comprising both local and international participants, were enlisted to oversee the election process.