Malé, Maldives – Maldives Correctional Service stated that no prisoners will be brought to Malé to cast their votes in the Local Council Election and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) election.
Vote boxes have been kept in Maafushi Jail, Asseyri Jail and Himmafushi Jail. In response to the “Voice” news questions, Media Officer of Correctional Services, Aminath Yusreen Ahmed stated that the people who were re-registered for voting have started to cast their votes since today morning, and that no prisoners would be transported to Malé for voting.
Former President Abdulla Yameen is completing his five year sentence in Maafushi jail. When the Identity card number of Yameen was entered into the SMS and online system made by the Elections Commission, it showed that he was registered to a vote box in Jamaaluddin School. This meant that he was not re-registered.
When questioned about this matter, Spokesperson of People’s National Congress (PNC) Heena Waleed confirmed that Yameen’s lawyer team asked for his re-registration to the vote box in Maafushi Jail.
At some time yesterday, Yameen sent a message letter to his supporters through his son, Zane Abdulla Yameen, in which he stated that him being in jail is not an end, but a stop, to the good things he started for the country. Yameen said that he will come back more ready and more strong. Yameen also added that he thanks all his supporters for all the work they have been doing in his absence for this election.
