EC: Many countries, organizations have requested to observe the elections

Elections Commission (EC)’s Vice Chairperson Ismail Habeeb, on Monday, revealed many foreign nations and countries have requested to observe the upcoming presidential elections slated for September 9^th.

Habeeb, in a tweet, said a significant number of foreign nations, organizations and institutions held discussions with the commission after they opened the opportunity for observers.

In this regard, Habeeb said meetings were held with ambassadors of the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), Commonwealth, US Aid, Institute of Foreign Credential Services (IFCS), Australia, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom (UK) and India to the Maldives.

He detailed that the ambassadors sought information regarding observing the election and the preparations presently underway. The importance of holding a fair and transparent election was discussed, as per Habeeb. He noted some of the foreign nations, organizations and institutions offered to extend technical expertise to support local authorities undertaking election works.

Habeeb also mentioned EC’s participation in the executive board meeting of the world’s largest international organization on election management, the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), held in Columbia last week. He said various parties met with EC’s member Dr. Mohamed Zahir, who was in attendance, regarding observing the elections and further strengthening ties.

“Delegations from UNDP, EU and Commonwealth’s Pre-Assessment Mission are closely monitoring the arrangements being made for the election and all work undertaken in this trajectory. Commonwealth’s team has also inquired about the possibilities of some ‘promising’ candidates contesting in the presidential elections,” he said.

Habeeb described a high number of observers as an additional incentive in undertaking election-related works fairly and transparently.

A total of 283,272 people are eligible to vote in the election.