We do not have the authority to stop ongoing political activities: Elections Commission

The Elections Commission (EC) has said that it does not have the authority to stop the political activities conducted by various groups prior to the official announcement by the commission of the upcoming presidential election.

Several groups have criticised President Dr Mohamed Waheed following his recent trips to the islands, which they accuse are part of his presidential election campaign.

Responding to a question in this regard by Sun Online, Vice President of Elections Commission Ahmed Fayaz said that the law states that presidential elections should be announced 120 days in advance, which means that political activities conducted before the announcement cannot be regarded as presidential election campaigns.

He said that the law does not obligate the commission to take action to stop political activities conducted before the official announcement.

“After the announcement of the presidential election, we will take all necessary action within the authority and powers of the commission. Compliance bureaus will be established and officials of the commission will be deployed to every island in which voting will take place. According to the law, political activities conducted before that cannot be stopped,” said Ahmed Fayaz.

The President’s Office has repeatedly denied the allegations by some political groups against President Waheed that he is misusing his post to carry out his presidential election campaign. According to the President’s Office, the president has not yet started his campaign.

Ahmed Fayaz said that in his opinion, it is part of his duties as a president to visit the islands to meet the people. He said that the commission will take all action possible within the legal framework against activities conducted after the official announcement of the presidential election, regardless of a person’s post.

“There are several sections of the law that need to be revised. This is not part of our responsibility. The law can state a date for holding a presidential election. The current law states that presidential election campaigns or any other activities related to presidential campaigns will only legally begin after the Elections Commission makes the announcement in this regard. Before that, the things people say are just things they say themselves. A person will only become a presidential candidate once the Elections Commission accepts him and makes the announcement,” he said.