Maldives Immigration has responded to claims that proper access for presidential election observers and monitors were not being granted, despite applications being approved by the Elections Commission of Maldives.
In a statement released on September 21, the Maldives Immigration stressed the onus lies with the local sponsors of the visa applicants, who need to settle the relevant visa fees and payments at the Immigration Office at Velana International Airport (VIA), for the issuance of business visas. Maldives Immigration provided earlier clarifications on the visa process on August 29, and also on January 17.
On September 20, the Elections Commission published a full list of observers and monitors that were granted access to be involved in the upcoming polls. However, since the publication of that list, there had been several false allegations, despite the Elections Commission granting accreditation, the Maldives Immigration had not in fact provided the necessary visas for elections observers and monitors to travel to the Maldives, and to undertake in respective activities during the presidential election.
Furthermore, Maldives Immigration had reached out on Twitter urging observers and monitors who had not been provided visas as of yet, to contact local sponsors at the earliest possible opportunity, and to settle all pending payments prior to the issuance of the visas.
Both the Elections Commission and the Maldives Immigration are separate agencies of the state, and therefore, the separate processes involved in getting appropriate accreditation to observe and monitor the presidential election, and the subsequent issuance of business visas had been clearly explained in the Maldives Immigration statement of August 29, which stated business visas could only be issued upon producing the relevant permits from the Elections Commission, and after settling any fees related to the issuance of visas.
Earlier today, the Elections Commission held a press conference to answer any queries regarding the elections due to be held tomorrow and to update the public and the media on the preparations ahead.