Yameen asks EC to delay parliamentary polls to post Ramadan
Earlier, the MDP had also asked the EC to hold the parliamentary elections after Ramadan.
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By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
Former President Abdulla Yameen has asked the Election Commission (EC) to postpone the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Parliamentary elections are scheduled for March 17. It is the seventh day of the month of Ramadan. The MDP has already expressed concern over the election being held on this date.
The team leading the formation of Yameen’s People’s National Front (PNF) also met the EC on Thursday to share their concerns.
Speaking to the media after the EC meeting, former Technology Minister Maleeh Jamal, who is part of the team, said that if the parliamentary elections are held during the Ramadan month, the turnout will be low.
Other major political parties are also concerned about holding the election during the month of Ramadan, he said, adding that they have requested to postpone the election to a date after Ramadan.
Then at the meeting, Yameen's side requested:
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Submission of membership forms for PNF registration have been postponed until Yameen's trial, but the party founders requested for the EC to allow the party top contest the parliamentary elections in its name
The EC has decided to hold the elections early in the month of Ramadan.
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If it is held on a later date than Ramadan, there are major administrative obstacles
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The week beginning after the end of Ramadan and the Eid holiday is the school examination period according to the revised academic calendar; therefore, there will be no adequate places to set up polling stations in schools to hold elections during that period
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The last ten days of Ramadan are now public holidays, so it will be difficult to get the help and cooperation of government ministries and state institutions
Earlier, the MDP had also asked the EC to hold the parliamentary elections after Ramadan.
