Maldivian vote today amid fears of rigging; EC assures fairplay
Male, Sept. 22: Opposition supporters in the Maldives are demanding that officials ensure a free and fair presidential election, as the country prepares to vote in an election seen as a referendum on whether democracy will stay.
The archipelago nation's election chief, Ahmed Shareef, said on Saturday that all measures have been taken to hold Sunday’s election in a free and fair manner and without violence.
Still, Opposition activists voiced fears that the polls may be rigged to favor President Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s party.
Beyond the postcard image the Maldives has of luxury resorts and white sand beaches, the 400,000 citizens of the former British protectorate have struggled to maintain the democratic system established in 2008.
Meanwhile, the Maldives presidential election on Sunday will not be free and fair because President Abdulla Yameen has used draconian laws to crackdown on rivals, a foreign monitoring group said on the eve of voting.
The Asian Network for Free Elections ( ANFREL) said the political environment in the tourist paradise was heavily tipped in favour of Yameen and they did not expect a fair contest.
“The ANFREL denounces recent developments... which ensure that the upcoming presidential election of September 23 cannot be considered free and fair,” the group said in a statement.
It said it was recognised by the Maldivian Elections Commission and given accreditation to monitor the voting, but that its staff were denied visas to enter the country.