The Elections Commission stated on Tuesday that former president and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s leader Mohamed Nasheed and Jumhooree Party (JP)'s founder Qasim Ibrahim can only vote at the ballot boxes placed in jail.
Although the self-exiled JP founder had requested to re-register to vote at London, Nasheed has not made any requests to re-register so far for the Presidential Election in September.
Election Commission's spokesperson Ahmed Akram said that Qasim's request to re-register was denied and Qasim informed of the decision as well. Akram added that re-registration for those who have been convicted of a crime should come from Maldives Correctional Services.
Both the coalition leaders Nasheed and Qasim were sentenced to jail and later granted permission to leave the country for medical reasons. After the period of medical leave expired, they were ordered to return to Maldives. However, both are active in politics after seeking asylum abroad.
Other leading members of the opposition coalition, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Adhaalath Party's leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla, have been registered to vote at jail by Maldives Correctional Services. Additionally, prominent MP Ahmed Mahloof who is currently under house arrest is registered to vote in jail as well.
Nasheed is sentenced to 13 years on terrorism charges for the arbitrary detention of a judge during his presidency, while Qasim is convicted to three years on bribery charges.
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