EC probes alleged attempts to compromise vote confidentiality

Elections Commission (EC) has opened an investigation in response to the allegation that employees of some state-owned enterprises have been told to mark the ballot in the upcoming presidential election in a specific color of ink, which would compromise the confidentiality of the vote.

EC’s vice chairman Ismail Habeeb told Sun on Tuesday that three political parties have made the same complaint; Maldives National Party (MNP), Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), and People’s National Congress (PNC).

Habeeb said that the advisory committee has set the review of the complaint in its agenda.

He said that the committee will make a decision following the review.

The allegation, if true, would compromise the confidentiality of the vote – as stipulated in the constitution.

Habeeb said the advisory committee will be asked to investigate the complaint, as soon as possible.

In an interview to Sun Report program on Monday, Habeeb said the national complaints bureau has received 18 complaints so far. The bureau has investigated and responded to 15 of the complaints.

“The complaints were regarding the voting process and registration process,” said Habeeb.

Habeeb said that many of the complaints regarding the election are raised on social media platforms.

He advised people to submit complaints to the bureau.

“It has been one month since the complaints bureau was established. Just 18 complaints is too low,” he said.

There is just 11 days left to the election; which is seeing the greatest number of contestants in a presidential election to date. This includes five candidates from political parties and three independent candidates.

The election will be held on September 9, and an election runoff, if it comes to that, will be held on September 30.