Was not working to postpone, but for a free and fair election: PPM

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has stated that the they were not seeking to postpone today’s presidential election, but wanted to ensure that it was conducted free and fair.

Speaking at a press conference in Nasandhura Palace hotel this afternoon, the party’s chair of the women’s wing, current Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dhunya Maumoon said that PPM urged to delay the election to ensure that the legitimacy of the ballot is protected.

She said that a number of irregularities have been noted in the voters’ list and that the Elections Commission must address them before proceeding with holding the poll.

“We have noticed a number of issues. PPM has repeatedly proposed a number of things. It is important that they be addressed. This also includes fingerprint verification. It does not take a lot of time,” Dhunya said.

Speaking at the press conference, PPM vice president Abdul Raheem Abdulla denied accusations that PPM and JP were the reasons behind the postponement of the election. PPM is working to bring a legitimate ballot to the people, he said.

He accused the current Elections Commission of being biased and described the commission as a “political party in coalition with MDP (Maldivian Democratic Party).”