Aswad seeks to annul Maafannu-south primary result

Well-known reporter and Raajje TV head of news Ibrahim Waheed (Aswad) has asked the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to annul its parliamentary primary results for Maafannu-south constituency, after facing a narrow defeat.

Speaking to Sun today, Waheed accused of misconduct in the primary election and said he can prove members from Galolhu constituency had cast ballots to the Maafannu-south ballot box.

He also said voters lists maintained by election observers show that the number of ballots counted had exceeded the ballots cast.

Former Minister of Housing Mohamed Aslam won MDP parliamentary ticket for Maafannu-south constituency with 137 votes. With 134 votes, Waheed lost by a narrow margin of 3 votes.

The young reporter came into the limelight in February last year after being attacked in the head, resulting in severe haemorrhaging. An attack initially viewed as a politically motivated attack against journalism was later ruled out when police revealed that two gang-related individuals were arrested for the attack.

Waheed said he hoped for a “just sentence” over the annulment case, but said that he will still support MPD for the parliamentary election regardless which way the case concludes.

“I do not want MDP to lose the Maafannu-south seat. Over the issue I have filed, I will accept whatever sentence they give. I am ready to win the seat for MDP,” said Waheed.

Chair of MDP’s election committee said the committee has already made a decision on Waheed’s case and that the party secretariat has been asked to communicate the decision. It will not be shared with the media, he said.