The decision by the parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions to postpone the parliamentary election after Ramadan next year is concerning according to Elections Commission's (EC) President Fuad Thaufeeq.
The parliamentary election coincides on the first of the last 10 days of Ramadan when complied to the law. However, the commission had approached the parliament's relevant committee for an alternative since hiring elections officials and campaigning efforts would be difficult amid the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The committee at its meeting on Sunday, November 26, advised EC to hold the parliamentary elections after Ramadan as the 30 days stipulated by law is available even then, and as such approved to postpone the election.
Speaking about this decision to Mihaaru News, Fuad said the commission's employees would be required to work around the clock amid Ramadan to facilitate the elections on the first convenient date after the Hijri calendar month.
He further highlighted that the commission's employees worked without leave amid the previous Hajj pilgrimage period and the subsequent Eid holidays. Fuad further said that although President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had earlier declared that the last 10 days of Ramadan would be public holidays, the parliament committee's decision on Sunday would effectively strip EC's employees of their chance for a holiday.
"Even right now we are challenged in retaining our staff [over lack of holiday availability], and while we have to employ them for average salaries, I do worry about such decisions," he said.
EC had pointed out the challenges it would face if the election is postponed to be held after Ramadan. The commission's Deputy President Ismail Habeeb said the next viable date for the elections was amid the Eid holidays that follow Ramadan, which he forecast would contribute to low voter turnout.
Habeeb also noted that if parliamentary election moves for a run-off after the first round and announcement of its final results amid Ramadan, the entire process would be concluded just one day before the parliament's current term expires.
EC proposed two solutions for the issue, one included shortening the legally allowed 30-day period for campaigning to 20 days, which would allow the election to be held on March 9, two days ahead of Ramadan.
The second solution proposed is to extend the 120 days prescribed in the law to 140 days in electing parliamentarians, which EC said would facilitate for preponing election efforts.
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