Elections Commission of Maldives has revealed a total of 38 delegates from 11 international organisations will be active as international observers and a total of 26 representatives from 14 media agencies will be monitoring the presidential election.
In a statement issued regarding the international observers and international monitors, the electoral body assured opportunity will be granted for international organisations to observe or monitor the presidential election to be held on the September 23, in compliance with the Presidential Elections Act and Regulations, as well as international best practices and procedures.
In this regard, the Elections Commission stated a total of 37 applications were received as international monitors from which 11 were rejected due to insufficient documents. Moreover, elections commission reiterated all international observers and monitors travelling to Maldives to observe or monitor the election should adhere to the relevant rules and the code of conduct.
Elections Commission of Sri Lanka, Philippines Commission on Elections, Permanent Electoral Authority of Romania, Elections Commission of Thailand, Election Commission of Malaysia, Central Elections Commission of Palestine, Organisation for Islamic Corporation, All Party British Parliamentary Group, Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe and The Asian Network for Free Election (ANFREL) and Hungary will be joining the presidential elections as international observers, according to the list attached to the statement of elections commission.
Meanwhile, the Elections Commission said The New York Times, Swiss Radio and Television, The Associated Press, The Economic Times, Strategic News International, The Wire, The Hindu, Le Figaro, The Yomiuri Shimbun, NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), WION, KYODO NEWS, The Asahi Shimbun and Agence France Presse (AFP) will be working as international monitors of the presidential election.
In addition, the electoral body rejected one submission for international observer as it was submitted after the deadline and 11 submissions for international monitors due to incomplete submissions materials.