Votes casted in destroyed Fiyoaree box invalided; polling postponed to later date

Ballots cast at GDh. Fiyoaree in the ongoing Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) chairperson election has been invalidated, with voting postponed to a later date after the ballot box was destroyed.

Fiyoaree Council President Abdulla Mubaah told Sun that the ballot box had was destroyed, adding the matter has been reported to the Police which is currently conducting an investigation.

A local told Sun the ballot box was vandalized by an individual who insisted on remaining at the polling station without the required accreditation. The individual reportedly claimed to be a representative of a candidate, but did not possess the necessary credentials and was not listed on the voters' registry.

A separate electoral incident was also reported in F. Feeali. A local told Sun that the ballot box in Feeali had been stolen and taken to a private residence. The source alleged that the act was carried out by supporters of former president Mohamed Nasheed, adding the ballot box had been missing since approximately 14:45pm.

Notably, the campaign team of candidate South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem has submitted a complaint alleging that voting in Feeali was being conducted with unofficial voter list.

The current election marks the sixth election held to elect a chairperson for MDP.