The Democrats Announce Voiding of Votes in Internal Elections Due to Irregularities

The Democrats, following their internal elections last weekend, have taken the unprecedented step of voiding the results from several ballot boxes. 

This decision was made after it was discovered that the total votes cast exceeded the total number of registered voters in some districts.

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Addressing the matter, The Democrats’ PG leader Ali Azim stated yesterday that results for the party’s young Democrats leader and deputy leader in specific districts were being annulled. Azim attributed the discrepancy to an organisational error in the election process.

The affected islands where ballots were voided include B. Goidhoo, B. Kudarikilu, GDh. Gadhdhoo, HA. Hoarafushi, HDh. Neykurendhoo, R. Alifushi, Sh. Maaungoodhoo, Th. Kinbidhoo, HDh. Nolhivaram, N. Miladhoo, B. Maalhos, B. Dharavandhoo, B. Fehendhoo, and N. Maafaru.

The positions of young Democrats leader and deputy leader were contested by two candidates each. Mohamed Mashih and Yoosuf Shah vied for the role of young The Democrats leader, while Fithra Mohamed and Mohamed Azwar contested the position of young The Democrats deputy leader.

Azim confirmed that the party has yet to decide on the new date for the re-held elections in the affected islands.

The internal elections, held last Saturday, saw West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef elected as the Democrats’ leader with 1,807 votes. His opponent, former STO MD Hussain Amr Rashad, received 1,484 votes. However, the release of preliminary results a day later led to allegations of election tampering.

The Democrats, officially registered as a political party in July, emerged as an offshoot of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), aligning with the former leader and former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed. 

As of August, the party boasted a membership of 3,280 individuals.