EC completes probes into two cases of anti-campaigning

The Election Commission (EC) has said today that they have so far investigated two anti-campaign cases for Saturday's presidential election.

Election Commission Vice President Ismail Habeeb said this at a press conference at Dharubaaruge today.

Regarding anti-campaign, Habeeb said two such cases were submitted to the commission and that the cases have been investigated and answered. If a bribery case is submitted to the commission, it is referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), he said.

Habeeb made the remarks while PPM-PNC coalition campaign spokesperson Mohamed Tholal yesterday said the ruling main party MDP was conducting anti-campaign because it knew it would not win the election.

Habeeb said that among the concerns of the political parties, include the possibility of ballot paper photography or fraud due to how the voting booths are placed. Habeeb said the political parties are also concerned about people using colourful ink to mark the ballots and putting more than one marking.

“Today, the advisory committee showed an example of how a polling station should be and they have shared feedback regarding how the station should be. Then the commission will hold a meeting and the commission will decide on it and we will make it public,” Habeeb said.

Sharing the latest preparations for the election, Habeeb said the ballot papers have been sent to all the provinces except Male’ Atoll. They will be sent to the islands in Male’ Atoll on Monday, he said.

282395 people are eligible to vote this year. There are 138196 women and 144199 men.