Not possible to hold election before list signed by PPM, JP: EC

Elections Commission (EC) has said that it would not be possible to hold the election tomorrow, as long as the representatives of Jumhooree Party (JP) presidential candidate Gasim Ibrahim and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) presidential candidate Abdulla Yameen have not signed the voters’ list.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, President of EC Fuad Thaufeeg highlighted that the Supreme Court guideline states that it is obligatory upon EC, to ensure that representatives of all presidential candidates sign the voters’ list before the election is held.

Fuad said that thus far, only presidential candidate of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mohamed Nasheed and his election agent Hassan Latheef had signed the list.

He said that efforts have been made this morning to contact Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) presidential candidate Abdulla Yameen, his representatives and campaign agent via phone and SMS, but there has been no reply thus far.

Fuad said that PPM sent a letter to EC last night, stating that they would like to verify fingerprints on 10 percent of the forms before signing the voters’ list.

Fuad said that 10 percent equals about 7,000 forms, and that it would take about 20 days to verify fingerprints on 7,000 forms; which given the lack of time, would be impossible.

He said that representatives of Jumhooree Party (JP) presidential candidate Gasim Ibrahim, Umar Naseer and Maaz Saleem, attended the commission to sign the list last night, but the list had not yet been finalised when they arrived.

He said that after the list was finalised, efforts have been made to contact Gasim’s representatives and campaign agent Ilham Ahmed, but there is no answer on their phones. Fuad said that officials of EC have even visited their homes, but they were unavailable.

Fuad said that it has been brought to the attention of Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain that representatives of JP and PPM have not signed the list, and that the chief justice has asked to continue efforts to hold discussions and get the list signed by them.

Fuad said that the issue has also been brought to the attention of President Dr Mohamed Waheed.

Fuad said that Yameen and Gasim have been urged to cooperate with the efforts to hold the election tomorrow, and to send their representatives to the commission as soon as possible to sign the voters’ list.