Complaint lodged with EC alleging MDP bribing voters with cash

The opposition coalition, composed of PPM and PNC, has lodged a complaint with Elections Commission accusing the main ruling party, MDP of bribing voters with cash in the Komandoo by-election. 

PPM said that MDP had reserved a restaurant near Iskandhar School – the polling center in Male’ City – was distributing cash to voters from the restaurant. 

Top opposition leaders went to Elections Commission on Saturday afternoon. They have submitted complaints to both the Elections Commission and the police. 

Elections Commission’s Complaints Committee head Ibrahim Hafiz told Sun that seven complaints have been lodged with them alleging influence over the Komandoo by-election. 

This includes allegations of bribing voters with cash, he confirmed. 

Hafiz said that the complaints to not meet requirements, but the committee was investigating the complaints. 

“We will look into the cases to the extent of our resources, and will investigate the cases with police if the allegations prove to be true. This is in progress,” he said. 

Other complaints lodged with the committee include the allegation MDP had opened a campaign center near the polling station in Male’, and the allegation MDP’s candidate Mohamed Rashid was near the polling station in Sh. Foakaidhoo, influencing voters.