Zaki accuses Elections Commission mobilizing DRP supporters in crucial places

Sunday, October 5th, 2008

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Acting president of MDP Ibrahim Hussain Zaki has expressed grave concern about the arrangements being made by the Elections Commission placing supporters of government party DRP at crucial points of the presidential election to be held on Wednesday. Speaking at a news conference in Nala Hiya Hotel, Zaki spoke with concern for MDP Unity saying they have information people who have involved in vote rigging and other irregularities in previous elections are selected for crucial duties in the election. Zaki said those people who obstructed voters from exercising their free votes by placing their hands and or tummies on the ballot boxes are to be placed near polling stations in charge of giving ballot papers and other crucial duties. The election committees established to oversee election also have such people in key positions.

Zaki said MDP will however exert every effort and give its fullest cooperation to make the election free fair and peaceful. MDP president elaborating on the arrangements made by the Election Commission also raised concern about the violations perpetrated by government party DRP. He said DRP is using large number of government employees in election campaigns in island offices and other ways. Zaki said MDP is working with the Election Commission to rectify these problems. In summary Zaki voiced concern about the possibility of organizing the election and voting in such a way DRP can influence in the voting.

MDP council member Mohamed Rasheed also spoke on the same issue and voiced his concern about the provision made by the election regulation allowing assistance to be given to disable and old persons. He said a person can help only one such person, but he pointed out there is information of special teams being organized to handle and help disabled persons. There are also reports of favoring persons supporting DRP to get their registrations done without any waiting and difficulty, while particulars of other are being collected and referred to Male. MDP thus raised a lot of concern such action and irregularities will obstruct a fair and free election.

MDP presidential hopeful Mohamed Nasheed, Anni has however told a gathering of ambassadors and diplomats and a large number of Maldivian supporters in Colombo on 29 September October 8 multi-party presidential election will be the most fair and free election of the entire South Asia region. Speaking at a dinner reception Anni said even though MDP was rather unrelenting in their reform policies initially, the party later changed its ways and assumed a more flexible stand in order to achieve the democratic reforms expected by the people.

Anni was a founding leader of the reform movement in the country relentless in his determination and courage. He has taken a big lead in an opinion poll taken by private radio station DhiFM for the past four weeks. He has won these polls by a significant lead. There are speculations Anni may win the election by a huge margin as most people believe he is the only person who has been steadfast in the reform struggle, but there are many others who do not think Anni is good to become their president although they hail his for his reform efforts.

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