Parties, agencies raise concern with EC over 'registered journalists' amendment

Political parties and the guardian agencies of the country's media on Sunday took up concerns with the Elections Commission (EC) over the government's proposed amendments to the General Elections Act to allow only registered journalists to monitor elections alone.

According to an amendment proposed by the government to the General Election Act last week, only "registered journalists" in the Maldives can cover elections. There are concerns raised by some quarters about it. Thus:

The first meeting of the National Advisory Committee for presidential elections involving political parties, government agencies and organisations was held at the Manhattan Business Hotel this morning and at the beginning of the meeting, EC Vice President Ismail Habeeb spoke about the amendment. 

Habeeb believes that the amendment has been presented in a positive manner. He added that the commission is already allowing registered journalists.

"We won't allow just anyone, even if some unregistered person just comes off the streets and says I'm a reporter. We didn't do it in the past and the commission has no intention of doing it in the future," Habeeb said.

Pointing out that it is a matter of concern for many that observers coming from foreign countries are not being given a chance, Habeeb said that all those who apply for permission will be allowed. This will be done only after they are accredited, he said.

"The main reason for accreditation is... At times, some newspapers have sent politicians as reporters, and some bitter incidents have gone down. These include beating up the head of the polling booth and campaigning inside the polling stations," Habeeb said.

This time, he said, the commission will allow journalists only after completing a two-hour training programme.  

Habeeb said it was not the commission's intention to curtail the rights of any section of people and wanted to hold elections as transparently as possible.

"The purpose of the Election Commission is to professionally monitor elections, especially those who want to monitor the presidential elections in a transparent manner as possible, and allow them to release the report they want," he said.

In the opportunity given to the remaining members of the meeting to speak, many expressed their concerns about the amendment.

Riyaz Rasheed, who attended the meeting on behalf of the Jumhooree Party, said that while Habeeb had said that it was not the EC’s intention to curtail the rights of any section of the people, there were already instances where there were doubts that things were being done on that route.

"If that continues, it is possible that people's perception of the commission in conducting the election will change in a completely different way," said Riyaz, a former MP from Villufushi constituency.

PPM Vice President Ahmed Shiyam, who was present at the meeting on behalf of the party, also said that the amendments to journalists are different. He also pointed out that there was a difference of opinion among the MPs, who have a majority in the parliament.

Shiyam, who is the MP for Naifaru constituency, said that the increasing influence of the government and foreign countries on journalists has always been a concern of the opposition, and that the amendment has been proposed despite it.

"If the law is like this, it is limited to the newspapers that are actually selected by the Election Commission, which are limited by them. And then, it is for journalists who are registered in these newspapers only. Those who are free press will have problems too," Shiyam said.

During the meeting, the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (BroadCom) and Maldives Media Council (MMC), two of the media regulators in the Maldives, also expressed concern over the amendment.

In his speech, Broadcom member Ali Yusuf highlighted the lack of recognition of the agency where the 'registered journalists' in the amendment should be registered.

"The Election Commission should also be clear about the current changes or where are those involved in covering the elections to be registered," Ali Yusuf said.

"Whether you will register with the Broadcasting Commission, whether you are registered by the Media Council or those who work in establishments registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs or are registered as media in the Employment Act, is very broad."

Ali Yusuf said any move to dilute the role of the media would raise questions about the credibility of an election.

"I am hoping things will broaden in time," he said.

Mohammad Afrah, who spoke on behalf of the Media Council, echoed Ali Yusuf's statement.

Expressing concern over the lack of specific registration slots, he said the law should also clarify the time frame for which the newspaper was registered. He pointed out that with just a few days to go for the elections, the current amendment provides an opportunity to register a new newspaper and release observers.

"For example, a newspaper may be registered within a week of the start of the elections. If that is the case, will you count that as well or will how long it has been running matter, or will you look at it as a registered newspaper?," Afrah said.