HRCM asked to explain their claim that the police violated the law

The police have asked the Human Right Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) to explain their claim that the police violated the law by obstructing the presidential election.

In a statement issued today, the police asked HRCM to clarify which law was violated when the police obstructed last Saturday’s election.

The police said that a letter has been sent to HRCM, asking if they conducted any investigation before making this accusation and to explain what they based this accusation on.

The letter, signed by Head of Police Professional Standards Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ali Rasheed states that the claims made by HRCM to local media groups that the police obstructed Saturday’s election are baseless and untrue.

The police said that on 19 October, the police followed the Supreme Court order and worked to protect the rights of all eligible voters, and to save the country from internal threats as required by Article (6) (3) of the Police Act.

The police said in the letter that they informed HRCM that if the election was held in violation of the Supreme Court order, the rights of several citizens would have been lost - which would have led to internal conflict, making it impossible to maintain security during the election.