ECM Orders Removal of Campaign Posters Near CCTV Cameras and Traffic Lights
Photo: MV+
The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has issued an order for the removal of campaign posters situated in proximity to CCTV cameras and traffic lights in the Male’ city.
In a tweet, ECM Vice-President Ismail Habeeb indicated that a trend had been observed wherein campaign materials associated with the presidential candidates were being placed in manners that obstructed the line of sight of both police CCTV cameras and traffic lights situated along roads and bridge.
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މާލެސިޓީގެ އެކި ސަރަހައްދުތަކުގައި، ދިވެހި ފުލުހުންގެ ޚިދުމަތުން ހަރުކޮށްފައިވާ ސެކިޔުރިޓީ ކެމެރާތަކާއި، މާލެސިޓީގެ މަގުތަކާއި، ބްރިޖުގައި ބަހައްޓާފައިވާ ޓްރެފިކް ލައިޓްތަކުގެ ވިއު ގެއްލޭގޮތަށް، ރިޔާސީ ކެންޑިޑޭޓުންގެ ކެންޕޭން މެޓީރިއަލްސް ބަހައްޓަމުން ގެންދާތީ، އެކަން އެގޮތަށް…— Ismail Habeeb (@IsmailHabeeb) August 28, 2023
In light of this, all candidates and political parties have been advised to refrain from such installations and are required to remove the posters within a span of 24 hours.
Habeeb noted that these directives were communicated during a meeting between the ECM and the Maldives Police Service, involving the official election agents of the respective candidates. He further urged all parties involved to abstain from engaging in any unlawful activities of this nature.
Furthermore, the ECM has formally requested that candidates adhere to the election laws, regulations, and guidelines, which encompass not affixing campaign materials on public streets and buildings without prior authorization.
Habeeb emphasised the importance of responsible conduct, highlighting that resorting to police intervention each time to address such incidents was not the desired approach. He urged all parties to exercise a higher degree of accountability in these matters.
The forthcoming presidential election, scheduled for September 9, has gained significant attention for its intensely competitive nature. With eight contenders vying for the presidency, the major political parties have embarked on vibrant and lively campaign initiatives.
