3 elections commissioners return to Maldives

Three of the members of Elections Commission (EC) who travelled abroad after the presidential elections have returned to Maldives.

The decision by four of the five elections commissioners to travel abroad had fueled allegations by ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) that the EC was culpable of rigging the election.

Elections commissioner and Spokesperson of EC, Ahmed Akram has confirmed to ‘Sun’ that he, along with two other commissioners - Vice President of EC Amjadh Musthafa and Ali Nashaath - have returned to Maldives from neighboring Sri Lanka.

Akram said the elections commissioners did not travel abroad to go into hiding or out of fear of any individual or party.

He said none of the elections commissioner were fazed by any pressure or threat.

“The members of the commission are fully compliant with set laws and regulations. We don’t fear any threat from anyone,” said Akram.

All elections commissioners except for President of EC, Ahmed Shareef, had travelled out of Maldives in the days following the presidential elections which was won by opposition coalition’s candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu).

Shareef, during the press conference held after the official announcement of the results of the election disclosed receiving threats both leading up to, and following the election.

The return of three elections commissioners leaves only elections commissioner Ismail Habeeb Abdul Raheem out of the country.

Akram reports Habeeb was remaining abroad for medical treatment.

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom – who lost his bid for a second term in office – has filed a petition with Supreme Court to nullify the results of the presidential elections.

Supreme Court concluded hearings in the case last Tuesday, and the country is now braced for its verdict.