EC: Komandoo by-election will go ahead as scheduled despite tightened COVID restrictions

Elections Commission’s chairman Fuad Thaufeeq states the Komandoo parliamentary by-elections will go ahead as scheduled, despite tightened measures in Maldives in response to a spike in COVID-19 cases. 

In an interview to PSM News on Sunday evening, Fuad said the Komandoo by-election and women’s development committee by-elections scheduled for February 5 will be held in accordance with Health Protection Agency (HPA)’s guidelines. 

Fuad said the Elections Commission is closely monitoring changes to HPA’s guidelines, and are working to ensure the by-elections are held as scheduled in compliance with regulations. 

“We are paying close attention to the changes, both in Maldives and in neighboring countries, as well as all other changes, and HPA’s guidelines,” he said. 

Fuad said it will not have any impact on the by-elections, even if HPA strengthened existing measures. 

“The by-elections will go ahead on February 5 as scheduled. And even if stricter guidelines are issued, we will, In Sha Allah, hold the elections in compliance with the measures,” he said. 

Fuad said that polling stations will comply with HPA’s guidelines. He said that voters will need to maintain 3-foot distance when in queue, and will need to sanitize before entering polling stations. 

Voters who don’t wear face masks will be sent away, he warned. 

The Komandoo parliamentary seat was left vacant following the death of MP Hussain Waheed on December 14, 2021. He died at the age of 53 years in a hospital in Male’ City after a year-long battle with cancer.