Malé, Maldives – The Opposition coalition has stated that they will not stay quiet if the local council election vote results are manipulated in the recount by the Elections Commission (EC).
The Opposition won big in last Saturday’s Local Council and Women’s Development Committee Elections. However, the result is being challenged by the ruling party Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), leading to the Elections Commission (EC) attempting to recount multiple ballot boxes. This move was met with resistance by the opposition.
At a press conference, acting leader of the opposition PNC/ PPM coalition, Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey) stated that MDP is claiming that there are issues in the results of some ballot boxes in Malé and Addu, and are attempting a recount.
He added that in some areas where the governing party, MDP won, the results are questionable, and that standing by is not an option while the votes of citizens are being played with. Adding that there are seats won by MDP which are questionable as well.
He said that the opposition leaders went to vote counting centres earlier today at EC’s request, and that candidates and their representatives were also present.
The peace was lost after MDP President and Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed arrived according to Adhurey, who added that citizens were at the centre as MDP has a history of “stealing” votes. He also alleged that MDP is attempting to hold the elections again.
Nasheed is attempting to create problems. After creating havoc, he plans to destroy ballot boxes and attempt another election. We did not allow that.
Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey)
Meanwhile, President of EC, Ahmed Shareef has said that EC will not side with any political party to manipulate election results. He added that both parties are falsely accusing the other of trying to influence the election results.
