Cash prizes and beach sports part of Elections Commission’s democracy week

The Elections Commission is to celebrate democracy in October with a debate, poster and essay competitions, quizzes, beach sports and a family evening.

The “democracy week” will take place on an island in either Noonu, Raa, Baa or Lhaviyani atolls in central Maldives. The commission has not agreed on the island yet.

The commission has set a cash prize of MVR10,000 (US$649) for a redesign of their logo. The logo is to resemble peace, independence and equality.

A Voter’s Day will be declared to celebrate all eligible voters during the democracy week.

The ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives dominated parliament set three new appointees to the EC in March and December. The opposition has accused President Abdulla Yameen of stacking independent commissions through the ruling party controlled parliament.

The EC last week welcomed changes to the Decentralization Act which states that local council by-elections must not be held if an island, atoll, or city councilor resigns one year after the local council elections take place.

Ahmed Akram, an EC member, said the commission had saved more than MVR150,000 (US$9,727) with the cancellation of three local council by-elections.