EC Suggest Alternatives for Unused Ballot Papers

Photo: Elections Commission
The Maldives’ Elections Commission (ECM) proposed an alternative approach to handling unused ballot papers after the presidential election, instead of destroying them immediately as currently done.
ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބު 2023 އާ ގުޅިގެން އިންތިޚާބާބެހޭ މަރުކަޒު (ދަރުބާރުގެ)ގައި މިއަދު ކުރިއަށްގެންދިޔަ ޤައުމީ ލަފާދޭ ކޮމިޓީގެ 02ވަނަ ބައްދަލުވުމުގެ ތެރެއިން @IsmailHabeeb @FuwadThowfeek @hrcmv @cscmaldives @ACC_Maldives pic.twitter.com/rAsFmLUtuz
— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) July 5, 2023
During a committee meeting, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), the main opposition party, urged the prompt destruction of unused ballot papers to safeguard the integrity of the election. Ahmed Shiyam, Vice President of PPM, emphasized the significance of this measure.
In response to the request, Ismail Habeeb, Vice President of ECM, explained that the call for immediate destruction was made by PPM even before the establishment of the National Advisory Committee on Elections.
He further clarified that the existing law stipulates that the remaining ballot papers can only be destroyed after a 14-day period. Habeeb highlighted potential criticisms if the papers were disposed of immediately after voting and proposed alternative methods, such as cutting corners or puncturing holes in the papers. However, a final decision on this matter is yet to be reached.
During the meeting, Shiyam voiced concerns about the re-registration process for the upcoming presidential election, fearing that it would reset the progress, thus limiting opportunities for everyone to re-register. Several other parties present at the meeting echoed this concern.
Addressing these concerns, Habeeb stated that re-registration often commences anew with each presidential election, given that Maldivians studying abroad typically remain overseas for three years, and the ECM anticipates changes in the registration processes within a five-year timeframe.