Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has revealed two parties have been asked to send names of representatives to attend the meetings of National Advisory Committee on Elections.
Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Maldivian Third-Way Democrats (MTD) have been asked to resend the names of representatives as both parties were not represented in the previous meetings, according to ECM.
Spokesperson and member of ECM Ahmed Akram revealed PPM and MTD did not specify a reason for their absence in the meetings. Moreover, Akram stated Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) have also been asked to send a name of a member to represent the parties in the meetings.
Speaking regarding the matter, Parliamentary Group Leader of PPM Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik said the member who was initially appointed to attend the meetings was out of Male' when the meetings were held, adding discussions are underway to send a new representative.
Furthermore, Parliamentarian Yameen Rasheed who is an active member of MTD expressed Senior Vice President Ismail Asif was supposed to attend the meetings but he could not attend as he was abroad for medical reasons. Yameen revealed another representative from MTD will attend the meetings.
The elections regulation grants authority to ECM to formulate a national committee to seek advice on elections. The committee comprises of 21 members, which includes members from 8 political parties, 10 institutions, a woman empowerment organisation and an organisation catering for people with special needs.
ECM has decided to hold the parliamentary elections on April 6.