EC: Komandoo by-election was fair, opposition’s claims lack weight

Elections Commission said Monday that the Komandoo by-election held last weekend had been fair, and that the complaints lodged by the opposition lacked any weight. 

Announcing the official results of the election on Monday afternoon, EC’ chairman Fuad Thaufeeq said the commission received nine election-related complaints. 

Fuad said that no election anywhere in the world went without drawing complaint, but that the Complaints Bureau would investigate and take action in response to all complaints that are lodged with evidence. 

“Most of the complaints were lodged by PPM. But MNP also lodged one complaint. But these complaints were submitted without evidence to back them,” he said. 

“The members of the Elections Commission certainly believe that compared to the events that took place during the presidential election, the by-election went very smoothly.” 

Three candidates contested the Komandoo by-election; MDP’s Mohamed Rashid, PPM’s Moosa Fathuhy and MNP’s Abdul Hannan Idrees. 

The official results announced by EC on Monsay show Rashid won the election with 1,441 votes. His closest rival, Fathuhy won 1,161 votes, while Hannan won 323 votes.     

Fuad said the by-election was held in accordance with the law.