EC brings back ballot papers dispatched to islands

The Elections Commission (EC) has started bringing back the ballot papers dispatched to islands for the second round of the presidential election, previously scheduled for Saturday, 28 September.

Secretary General of the EC, Asim Abdul Sattar, told Sun Online that ballot papers were dispatched to all islands, but they are being recalled as ‘it was not possible to hold the election’.

He said that the islands from which ballot papers have been recalled, is not yet known.

Asim said that the ballot boxes used in the first round of the election have been kept in the islands, to be used in the second round.

Sun Online has come to know that the used ballot papers were brought in security boxes, and separate boxes have been used to dispatch and recall ballot papers for the second round.

The Supreme Court injunction ordered the Elections Commission and relevant State institutions to postpone the second round of the presidential elections announced by the Commission for Saturday, 28 September, until the court issues a verdict on the case filed by Jumhooree Party.

The commission, however, made several preparations to hold the election despite the Supreme Court order, but eventually announced on Friday night that the country, at the moment, lacks a suitable environment for an election.