EC did not discuss before publishing voters' photos: DNR

Department of National Registration (DNR) has said that the Elections Commission (EC) did not consult with the department before publishing photos of voters with the voters’ lists for the Local Council Election held last Saturday.

The published photos became an issue of contention after the EC revealed that the most complaints they received election were over the publication of the photographs, along with dates of birth and other details of eligible voters.

Deputy Director of DNR Abdulla Ibrahim said today: “We became aware of the published photos after when we went to vote.” He said the department is receiving complaints over the issue, which the public views an infringement of privacy.

He said the department is mandated to assist the EC and thus, the department provided the commission with a link to their data which included photographs and details of all eligible voters for the council election. The department has also granted permission in writing, to use the data as necessary, DNR Deputy Director said.

He said that in light of the privacy issue, the department is now in consultation with the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) and the Local Government Authority (LGA) on providing information to the Elections Commission for the upcoming parliamentary election.

There was increasing displeasure among the public on election day over the display of photographs of women who now wear hijabs covering their heads or even women with niqabs, covering all of the face apart from the eyes.

At a press conference on Saturday, an official from the Elections Commission Complaints Bureau said they received numerous complaints over the phone, regarding the display of photographs on voters’ lists.