Former Presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed raised concerns over the issue of alleged problems with the parliament’s electronic voting systems during Monday’s debate on the motion of no confidence against parliamentary speaker Abdulla Maseeh.
In a tweet, Former President Maumoon said, “[Parliament] rules require electronic voting unless there is an EVIDENT defect in the system. Therefore no roll call vote can be taken today.”
Former President Nasheed blamed the government for the defects in the system in his tweet, “Govt tampered with the [parliament] voting system & are pushing for a roll call vote. [Parliament] SG must fix system; ensure vote proceeds as per rules.”
The alleged problems with the e-voting machines has sparked a heated row between government and opposition lawmakers with both sides accusing the other of tampering with the systems. Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s parliamentary group leader Ahmed Nihan suggested the roll call vote to which opposition lawmakers objected, declaring that taking a roll call vote without proof of defects in the e-voting systems is a violation of parliament regulations.
The lawmakers are scheduled to cast their votes on the motion of no confidence against Speaker Maseeh at 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon.