Campaigning prohibited for two days

All campaign activities for the presidential election have been prohibited from 6:00 p.m. today for 60 hours, as the first and second rounds of the election are scheduled for tomorrow and the day after respectively.

Article 44 of the Elections General Act states that it is prohibited to carry out campaign activities or encourage campaign activities between 6:00 p.m. on the day before the election, until 6:00 a.m. on the day after the election.

All three political parties contesting in the election, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), and Jumhooree Party (JP) have concluded campaign activities at 6:00 p.m.

Elections Commission has announced that campaigning is prohibited between 6:00 p.m. today (Friday) until 6:00 a.m. Monday.

Elections Commission has said that parties have agreed to not conduct campaign activities after 6:00 p.m. today and throughout Sunday.

Prior to concluding the campaigns, MDP supporters started from Raalhugandu area and marched along the streets of Male’ with their flags and posters, chanting campaign promises. This parade was joined MDP presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed.

PPM supporters, with presidential candidate Abdulla Yameen, went around the streets of Male’ on motorbikes and pick-up trucks. They voiced their campaign promises and negative campaign slogans against Nasheed.

JP’s activities were focused near Social Centre, on Boduthakurufaanu Magu. They did not go around Male’, but played their campaign songs and slogans in this area.

Sun reporter Ahmed Saail Ali reported from Kulhudhuffushi that campaign activities were in full swing in the island this afternoon, and concluded at 6:00 p.m. He said that the activities were peaceful but competitive.

Sun reporter in Hithadhoo, Addu City, Murshid Abdul Hakeem said that colourful campaign activities took place in Addu as well, by MDP, PPM and JP, but have now been concluded.