With less than 10 days left for their presidential election, Maldivians are gearing up with mixed feelings, according to locals.
The Indian Ocean archipelago will go to polls on September 23. Incumbent President Abdulla Yameen is seeking a second term, with a contest from Opposition presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Promising greater development, employment and living standards, Mr. Yameen — from the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) — has been reaching out to young Maldivians, while his critics, who accuse him of running an authoritarian regime, are campaigning for restoring democracy in the island nation. Many voters see the elections as an opportunity for change, but some remain sceptical about a free and fair election.
Fears of rigging
Dissidents and Opposition parties are challenging Mr. Yameen through a joint platform led by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) of former President Mohamed Nasheed.
The coalition has raised concern over possible election rigging following what they term “fraudulent” voter registration.
As candidates step up their campaign, a section of citizens is concerned over authorities apparently targeting dissident activists, especially after the Maldives police’s recent warning, about likely “dangerous acts” on polling day. The Opposition has deemed it “fearmongering”. So far, at least 18 Opposition activists have been arrested in the run-up to the polls, local media reported.
The pre-poll atmosphere in the capital is one of uncertainty and apprehension, according to Mariyam Shiuna, Executive Director, Transparency Maldives, an anti-corruption organisation. “The apprehension is partly because the Maldives Police came out with a statement saying their intelligence had reports of activities aimed at disrupting the election process,” she told The Hindu over telephone.
“What the police are doing is feeding into the fear without trying to prevent any of it. Simulation exercises of civil unrest and violence have been taking place and even media don’t know if it’s real or not,” said Shahindha Ismail, Executive Director of the Maldivian Democracy Network, a human rights NGO.
Restrictions on media
Meanwhile, the MDP on Wednesday asked the Yameen administration to ease visa measures for international media interested in covering the election. Strongly denying the MDP’s claim that the visa process sought to limit the number of foreign journalists covering the presidential poll, the Elections Commission “noted with concern the false allegations”. “The Commission reaffirms its commitment to afford the opportunity to any international media personnel to take part in observing the elections as long as the necessary requirements have been met,” a statement said.
Countries, including the U.S. and India, have urged Maldivian authorities to hold a free and fair election, with the U.S. even warning Male of possible sanctions. Maldives hit out at the U.S., calling its statement “an act of intimidation, imposing undue influence on the democratic processes of a sovereign state”.
