JP protests against election-related activities at Addu City Hall

The Jumhooree Party (JP) has held a protest against election-related activities being conducted at Addu City Hall.

President of JP Office in Hithadhoo Hussain Solih told Sun Online today that the JP protesters called to keep ballot papers at a safer place than the Addu City Hall, where all councillors belong to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

“Several incidents took place earlier as well. So we went to observe the situation. We asked them to do it as safely as possible, and protested because we were not happy with the way things were being conducted. We want them to transfer the ballot papers, under police supervision, to the school. We protested because we don’t want the election held before the Supreme Court decision,” he said.

Mayor of Addu City Abdulla Sodig told Sun Online that protesters entered the City Hall while training programs were ongoing for Elections Commission officials.

“A group of people entered the building and started shouting while training programs were ongoing for Elections Commission officials. The police are now trying to control the situation,” said Sodig.

A police media official said that security has been strengthened at Addu City Hall in Hithadhoo following protests in the area.

An eyewitness said that the protesters belong to Jumhooree Coalition, and that a group of MDP supporters also gathered near the Council Office afterwards.

He said that the police have now cordoned off and cleared the area.