Nimal says fraud concerns prompted postponement of LGA elections

The election for the Local Government Authority (LGA) board, councillors and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) chairs had to be postponed after receiving information about election fraud, LGA CEO Mohamed Nimal said on Sunday.

The election was postponed indefinitely on 4 August.

Speaking on a TVM programme, Nimal said the delay was initially described as an administrative issue. However, he said the real reason was a series of complaints from councils regarding the placement and control of ballot boxes.

Nimal said the LGA had completed all preparations required for the election. But as the voting date approached, he began receiving complaints from councils and members of the public about the ballot boxes being placed inside LGA branches, which were formerly Atoll Council offices. The complaints pointed out that the people there were politically biased.

“We were able to complete all the work required through our office. However, in the last few days before the election, I received complaints from people and councils that the ballot boxes were placed in the branches of the former Atoll Council, now known as the LGA,” Nimal said.

He said some councils objected to placing ballot boxes in LGA branches because those offices were associated with a political ideology that existed when Atoll Councils were abolished.

Councillors also raised concerns that the cost of travelling to vote was not covered in council budgets.

Nimal said some councils had informed him that they would not participate in the vote. He said there were fears that ballot boxes under the control of politically aligned individuals could be misused.

“Some councils said they planned not to vote.When people of a certain political ideology are in the LGA branches, the ballot boxes are under their control [they said]. If a person does not come to vote, someone else could mark their ballot paper using the voters’ register, isn't it that easy? Councillors will not go to vote,” Nimal said, citing concerns.

The election for the LGA board seats, representing councillors and WDC chairpersons, was opened on 12 July last year, after which the authority announced the list of candidates.

Contestants  

Among the island councillors:  

• F. Nilandhoo Council President Ali Ahmed (PNC)  

• N. Manadhoo Council President Ali Safir (MDP)

Among the WDC candidates:  

• L. Gan WDC President Maryam Neena (MDP)  

• Sh. Funadhoo WDC President Maryam Zeena (PNC)

The powers of the Local Government Authority include taking action against councillors who misuse their position, fail to fulfil their responsibilities, or violate legal provisions. These measures include suspending councillors from office for a specified period.