PPM expresses concern after 4 EC members travel abroad

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has expressed concern over the decision by four Elections Commission (EC) members to travel abroad.

PPM has accused EC of rigging the recent presidential elections in favor of President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu). But the party has yet to provide any evidence to support its allegations.

Vice President of EC Amjadh Musthafa and its members Ahmed Akram, Ismail Habeeb and Ali Nasha’ath are all currently abroad with only EC’s President Ahmed Shareef in the country.

Speaking at a press conference held at the PPM headquarters last Saturday, Kelaa MP Ali Arif said that while the members of the EC had the freedom to travel abroad as they wish, PPM was concerned about the timing of their departure from the country.

“The four members traveling abroad at such a critical time; doesn’t this support the allegations over the election?” questioned Arif.

Speaking to local media regarding the decision by the EC members to travel abroad, EC’s President Shareef said the elections commissioners had been living under a cloud of danger since the elections was announced, and that they have received death threats from some criminal gangs.

Shareef said the members hadn’t ‘fled’, and provided assurance they would return to the country.

PPM has been holding nightly demonstrations alleging elections rigging. Allegations which have been denied by the EC.

EC announced the official result of the presidential elections on September 29. Ibu won the election by 58.4 percent.