7 ballot boxes to be placed in Male' for Addu Council composition changes

Elections Commission (EC) President Mohamed Zahid has announced 7 ballot boxes will be placed in Male' to collect opinions regarding whether separate councils should be made in Addu.

On PSM News' "Raajje Miyadhu" program, Zahid stated that only residents of Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo and Feydhoo can take part in voting for councils to be changed to how Addu City Council is composed.

As per Zahid, residents of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo will be asked two questions:

Regarding the opinion poll under the newly declared referendum, Zahid stated that Addu Meedhoo residents will be asked whether the island should be governed under a separate council, along with whether Addu Hulhudhoo and Addu Meedhoo should be jointly governed under a single body - the Addu Hulhumeedhoo Council.

Zahid said that Feydhoo will only be asked whether the island should be governed under a separate council.

He went on to say that even though previous elections would see voting arrangements made for residents in their native islands, this election would have no such arrangements. Voters are to register to the islands that will have the ballot boxes for the election, said Zahid.

Zahid said that all the ballot boxes in Male' will be placed in one centre. 

"We are looking to put these 7 ballot boxes in a spacious environment. We will be making arrangements to keep all 7 ballot boxes separate from each other."

He went on to say that out of all the people that have registered, more that 9,000 are eligible to vote.

As per EC's announcement, the election will be held on 25th October, Saturday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Those who hve issues regarding the voters list can do so by submitting a complaint from 11th October to 12th October, Zahid added.

Similar to other elections, opportunities will be given for observers and monitors to oversee the voting process on the day of the election.

Concerning the Addu vote, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated on his podcast that the views of Addu residents need to be sought ahead of the Elections Commission conducting administrative work for the Local Council Elections scheduled for next year. He asserted that the decision lies in the hands of Addu residents, assuring no action will be taken without first gathering their views.

The President stated that with the introduction of separate councils, it will facilitate changes based on the requests of Addu residents. President Muizzu said as an example that Hulhumeedhoo has been neglected and that the island does not get the attention it deserves as it lies separately in the atoll.