Elections Commission of Maldives has advised all political parties to conduct campaigning activities within the guidelines set in the constitution.
In a statement, elections commission advised to refrain from participating convicts serving jail sentences to gain support for political parties and its candidates. A convict is prohibited from participating in any political activity or hold any political post within the party while serving a sentence, said the elections commission, noting a convict cannot represent the party during the term of the sentence.
Furthermore, elections commission urged to refrain from holding any activity using logos or colours that represents a political party without consent. In this regard, the commission noted it has received information that some groups are promoting names which are not registered as political parties to gain support for a candidate and urged to refrain from such acts.
The electoral body has been exerting major efforts to ensure the upcoming presidential election scheduled for September 23 is free, fair and credible.