Elections Commission of Maldives has clarified allegations being circulated on social media about the decision to place ballot boxes in only 7 resorts. The elections commission stated the decision to place ballot boxes in only 7 resorts was made after verifying the information provided by relevant authorities.
In a statement, the commission revealed ballot boxes will be placed in 7 resorts only if after re-registration, more than 250 Maldivians have re-registered to vote in the resorts. In the 2013 presidential elections, ballot boxes were allocated to all resorts where a minimum of 100 people were registered to vote.
However, for this year's elections, the bar was raised to 250 people, after assessing the different issues faced during the last presidential election held in 2013. The commission noted in 2013 some of the resorts had asked for ballot boxes to be removed halfway through the voting process. The statement further said ballot boxes have been placed in resorts as per the guideline of the commission after a thorough assessment of the issues faced in the previous presidential elections.
The commission also rejected the allegation that this was a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise resort employees, noted that once re-registration opens, resort staff could register to vote at the nearest island or wherever they would like to cast the vote on the day of elections and said all eligible voters would have the opportunity to register themselves at the nearest polling station.
The electoral body assured it will not act in a way that might deprive the right of any individual to vote and urged the public to cooperate and provide full support to make the presidential election free, fair, transparent and successful.