EC to provide original ballot sample to PG and High Court today

Elections Commission (EC) has stated that they will today present original copies of the ballot papers used in the first round of the presidential elections to the Prosecutor General’s office (PG) and the High Court.

PG and the High Court have sought to original copies of the ballot in relation to a forging of ballots case in Haa Dhaalu Kulhuduffushi prior to the election.

EC's statement follows accusation by the PG that EC had refused to provide an original copy of the ballot papers for the purposes of the prosecution.

In a statement released today, EC said that no State institution had asked for a copy of the original copy of the ballot prior to rumors that they had refused to provide them and that the PG and the High Court made the request on Wednesday evening.

High Court held the first hearing for the Kulhudhuffushi ballot forgery case yesterday (Wednesday). When the bench asked the State whether they have an original piece of ballot for comparison, the State had answered that the EC had refused their request to provide a sample.

State has raised charges against two individuals, Ahmed Athif and Ahmed Abdul Raheem, both men from the island of Kulhudhuffushi, for printing and laminating ballot papers similar to the original ballots used in the first round of the presidential election, and for advertising the ballot paper, prohibited under the General Elections Act.