EC Member Fuad expresses disappointment over Male' city districts

Former President of the Elections Commission Fuad Thaufeeq. Parliament passed to reappoint Fuad to the Elections Commission on November 13, 2019. (Sun Photo)

Elections Commission’s Commissioner Fuad Thaufeeq has expressed displeasure at how the districts in Male’ city was determined for the local council elections.

Fuad’s words echo the dissatisfaction of many members of the public for creating 18 electoral districts that did not take into account the borders of the administrative four districts of the capital. Fuad also agreed with this and expressed disappointment that the current borders of the districts were not respected when creating the electoral districts.

I know many people in Male' will be very disappointed with the current borders for the LCE constituencies which do not respect the border of the 4 wards (avah). Even my home which is in Machchangolhi fell into Galolhu Dhekunu now. Like many others, I too am not happy with it. https://t.co/SjZTcrJPij
— Fuwad Thowfeek (@FuwadThowfeek) January 23, 2020

“Even my home which is in Machchangolhi fell into Galolhu Dhekunu now. Like many others, I too am not happy with it.” tweeted Fuad. The issue was first raised by Dr. Farahanaz Faisal, Maldivian ambassador to the UK, who stated that she would vote for a mayor who respected the traditional borders of the districts of Male’ city. She lamented the fact that the decisions of the EC had made her a resident of two districts.

Me now Machangolhi and Galolhu. To make it worse it is named Galolhu hulhangu or something with no mention of Machangolhi when the majority of this area are from Machangolhi! So does this mean we are being moved n renamed without asking? My #vindhu is remembered only for votes?
— Leela (@leelamad) January 24, 2020

Historical scholar Ahmed Alaa Didi also shared her criticism on twitter. Maldives National University lecturer Leela Ahmed also expressed her dissatisfaction and noted that she too had been affected by the decision of the EC that has now left her as a resident of two districts.

18 districts of Male’ city have been designated for the local council elections on April 4.