TM Calls for Stricter Protection of Voter Privacy in Electoral Process
Photo: MV+
Transparency Maldives (TM), today, has called for stricter protection of voter privacy during the voting process.
These recommendations come in light of their observations during the 2023 Maldivian Presidential elections.
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Our election observers collected both qualitative and quantitative data from 56.86% of all ballot boxes, and here are some of our key findings and recommendations for the next round of election on 30 September 2023 —>#MVElection2023— Transparency MV (@TransparencyMV) September 13, 2023
One of the recommendations put forward by TM is the enforcement of guidelines prohibiting monitors from taking any video footage or photographs of voters marking their ballots.
– Strictly ensure monitors present at polling stations do not take video footage/photographs of voters marking their ballots.
– Ensure that only the allowed number of observers and representatives as per the electoral guidelines are present at polling station. #MvElection2023— Transparency MV (@TransparencyMV) September 13, 2023
By preventing monitors from recording the act of casting a vote, the privacy of voters is safeguarded, and the risk of undue influence or intimidation is significantly reduced.
Another recommendation focuses on the presence of observers and representatives at polling stations. TM advises that only the allowed number of observers and representatives, as specified in electoral guidelines, should be present at each polling station.
