Press Release of the Human Rights Commission, dated 3 February 2005

This Press Release is in Dhivehi.

Below is a translation of excerpts from the above Press Release.

The HRCM noted that there had been a number of improvements in this last election, in comparison to ones held earlier. They noted that:

1. the security features of the ballot boxes were better than in previous years,
2. the people who were involved in the election process had received training for the purpose,
3. the population was more aware of voting, and its importance,
4. provisions were made for representatives of individual candidates to be present while ballots were counted,
5. provisions were made to allow a representative of individual candidates to be present at ballot boxes,
6. provisions were made for the representative of individual candidates to be present at ballot boxes even when voting was closed for lunch,
7. persons handling the ballot boxes did not include island chiefs or magistrates, and
8. election observers were invited.

However, the HRCM also noted the following, based on the reports of the monitoring commission of the HRCM, complaints lodged at the HRCM, and information received by the members of the HRCM.

1. Some atoll and island offices called for public meetings to persuade the citizens to vote for a particular person,
2. Some candidates utilized government property and resources for campaigning,
3. Some candidates were allowed to address citizens publicly, while others were not allowed to do the same,
4. People were threatened that their employment would be in jeopardy should they not vote for a particular candidate,
5. Some candidates campaigned even after the time for campaigning had lapsed, and nothing was done to stop these activities,
6. Some people who had been openly campaigning for a some candidates were allowed to be at the ballot boxes as officials,
7. Banners and other material, which had not been pre-approved by the Elections Commission were displayed/distributed in some islands,
8. Some candidates walked into the areas where the ballot boxes were,
9. The education sector had been inappropriately involved in the election and campaigning processes, by trying to coerce parents by utilizing the school children. Moreover, school resources had been utilized by officials in the pretence that they were using the resources for official purposes. The health sector and the officials providing electricity to islands had also been involved in similar activities.
10. Ballot boxes were sealed in some areas while people were waiting to vote.
11. No investigations or actions had been taken in spite of the fact that candidates and their supporters were distributing cash (to buy votes*).
12. Some candidates had made promises in conjunction with the elections. Such promises include the promises for harbors, computer labs, laboratories and classrooms, and the provision of generators and teachers (which are very important to people residing in rural islands*). However, none of these activities had been investigated.

The HRCM hence stated in its Press Release that in the light of all these factors, the HRCM did not believe that the election held on 22 January 2005 was free and fair. It also added that, the HRCM had to congratulate the Elections Commission for the measures it had in place to make the elections free and fair, which in turn facilitated the election to be one at which the people enjoyed better voting rights and increased participation in political activities. 

*words in italics are additions from the network.