Elections Commission requests people to use their own pens to vote

The Elections Commission has requested people to take pens with them when going to cast their votes for the presidential election on Saturday.

President of Elections Commission Fuad Thaufeeg told Sun Online that the commission had received information to indicate that pens that cause ink blots when used on the ballot paper, are in circulation.

“It is our request that people take pens when they go to vote. Test a pen that you trust, and take it when you go to vote,” he said.

Fuad said that this issue has also been filed to the Elections Commission by the police, and also by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhooree Party (JP) about two weeks ago.

Fuad also said that the commission has not yet received or come across any such pen.

He also assured that action will be taken immediately against any person who replaces or tries to replace the pens placed at the voting booths.

He said that the commission would also check if people leave behind the pens they bring at the voting booths, and take action against them as well.