EC president: Every vote is testimony towards a person’s integrity and capability

Elections Commission (EC)’s President Mohamed Shakeel states that every vote cast is testimony towards the integrity and capability of the individual chosen to hold public office.

In a social media message commemorating National Voters' Day, Shakeel stressed that, as the Maldives is a hundred percent Muslim nation, the principles of justice in Islam regard voting as a sacred trust. He urged citizens to exercise this right with sincerity, honesty, and a strong sense of accountability before Allah.

"As we are a hundred percent Muslim nation, looking at the just principles of our holy religion, a vote is a trust. In fulfilling this duty, we must always fear god in our hearts and uphold honesty and sincerity," the Commission President’s post read.

He further emphasized that every vote cast to elect representatives to the presidency, the parliament, or local councils constitutes an important decision that can directly or indirectly influence national development, equality before the law, and the stability of state institutions.

National Voters' Day is observed annually in the Maldives on August 25. This year, the occasion is being commemorated under the theme ‘Voting is a Right and a Responsibility’.

Maldives began observing the national Voters' Day in line with decision made during the 2015 International Day of Democracy celebrations. The day is primarily aimed at strengthening civic participation in the democratic process, protecting voters' rights, and increasing public confidence in the electoral system. It also seeks to raise awareness of the importance of voting while providing citizens with essential information about elections and democracy.