Election first round scheduled for 9 Nov, second round for 16 Nov

Elections Commission has decided to schedule the first round of the presidential election for 9 November, and if necessary, the second round for 16 November. Speaking at a press conference tonight, President of Elections Commission Fuad Thaufeeg said that this announcement follows discussions with representatives appointed by the government and the presidential candidates. “We have held discussions with the representatives of the presidential candidates and an official appointed by the government. We have considered their suggestions, and have determined the earliest possible date for the election,” he said. Fuad said that their suggestions have also been discussed with the technical team of the Elections Commission. “We have held discussions with our technical staff and obtained the necessary information to determine the necessary time periods. After all this, we have decided that the most suitable date for the first round is 9 November,” he said. Vice President of Elections Commission Ahmed Fayaz Hassan said that the voters’ list of the Department of National Registration (DNR) will be announced and opened for complaints tomorrow. Fuad has said earlier that it would not be possible to hold the election in accordance with the Supreme Court guideline. However responding to reporters’ questions tonight, he said that the guideline will be followed in the election set for 9 November. Fuad said that the government has assured to make the necessary arrangements to verify fingerprints, if this is required. “We have decided to put fingerprints on the forms this time as well. The government has assured that they will make the necessary arrangements to verify fingerprints,” he said. Fuad further said that efforts are under way in cooperation with National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT) to prevent attacks on the commission’s database by unauthorised groups, and that NCIT has assured that this will be solved before the election.

Speaking at an ongoing press conference, Vice President of Elections Commission Ahmed Fayaz Hassan said that the election will be held in accordance with the law and the Supreme Court ruling.