The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

Concerns over lack of ballot boxes allocated for resorts

Nafaahath Ibrahim
16 July 2018, MVT 15:24
Man voting during the 2017 Local Council Elections. PHOTO: NISHAN ALI / MIHAARU
Nafaahath Ibrahim
16 July 2018, MVT 15:24

Resort workers and the opposition are raising concerns over Elections Commission (EC)'s decision to place ballot boxes in only seven resorts for the upcoming Presidential Election in September.

While a large number of Maldivians reside in resorts for employment purposes, only seven ballot boxes will be kept in resorts out of 452 boxes to be distributed all over Maldives, as per the EC.

As per the statistics from the commission's official website, in the 2013 presidential elections, 42 ballot boxes were allocated for resorts. In comparison, this year's drop to only seven boxes is a significant change.

Resort workers and the opposition have taken to social media, expressing concerns over the EC's decision. They declared that this will deprive the voting rights of many resort staff.

In the 2013 elections, ballot boxes were allocated to all resorts where a minimum of 100 people were registered to vote. However, in this year's elections, the bar was raised to 250.

According to EC member Ahmed Akram, the decision was made after assessing the different issues faced during the previous presidential election. Akram noted that in 2012, some of the resorts had instructed to take the ballot boxes away in mid-voting period as well.

The seven resorts chosen for this year's election are:

* The Sun Shiyam Irufushi Maldives

* Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

* Kuramathi Island Resort

* Paradise Island Resort

* Sun Island Resort

* Kuredhoo Island Resort

Regarding the issue, resort staff have raised concerns, proclaiming that it it was not easy to go to other islands just to vote.

However, Akram stated that resort islands are not far from inhabited islands, and once re-registration opens, resort staff could simply register to vote at the nearest island. Additionally, if many staff from a particular resort register to nearby islands, EC would consider arranging for a separate ballot box to be placed in that island for the resort in question.

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said that they will try to discuss the issue and come to a solution with EC.

Re-registration for this year's presidential election will be open starting from Tuesday.

Share this story

Related Stories

Discuss

MORE ON NEWS