LCE: COVID-19 patients need to vote unassisted

Elections Commission has made changes to the regulation which previously allowed COVID-19 patients and those in quarantine to be assisted by another person to mark their ballot paper during the upcoming elections.

Elections Commission has announced on Sunday that voters may seek assistance from another person to mark their ballot paper under four circumstances, including if the voter is a COVID-19 patient or undergoing quarantine.

Elections Commission’s chairman Ahmed Shareef announced in a tweet later Sunday evening that Elections Commission has revised the regulation as the commission does not have the legal authority to arrange for COVID-19 patients to vote with assistance from another person.

“The regulation passed today establishes those who test positive for COVID-19 may vote on their own with protective measures,” said Shareef.

Elections Commission is making last minute preparations for the Local Council Elections and the Women’s Development Committee Elections, scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 10.

Elections Commission states that COVID-19 patients and those in quarantine will need to come in to cast their vote last, and that special arrangement will be made to take them to polling stations.

Elections Commission requests those seeking further information regarding the elections to call the hotline 1414.

There are 3,934 candidates competing in the upcoming elections; 2,264 candidates in the Local Council Elections and 1,670 candidates in the Women’s Development Committee Elections.

273,182 people have the right to vote in the upcoming elections.