Transparency Maldives Releases 'I Choose' Electoral Assessment and Promotes Domestic Observation
Malé, Maldives - 13 July 2008 - Transparency Maldives held a press conference today to release its assessment report on the Maldivian electoral system and mark the initiation of the 'I Choose' voter education and domestic observation training program.
The electoral assessment was carried out through a series of six participatory workshops conducted by international elections expert Mr. Parvinder Singh across the Maldives between 24 May and 6 June 2008. The report, entitled “An Assessment on the Maldivian Electoral System,” emphasizes the lack of public confidence in the electoral system and highlights the widespread concern that the upcoming presidential election cannot be free and fair unless promised reforms are implemented.
The report recommends that the Government, particularly the Election Commission, should be more proactive in involving key stakeholders in the electoral process. It also recommends all actors should increase the transparency of their actions, be more willing to consult and share, and support the creation of a legal and physical environment conducive to international and domestic election observation.
The assessment was funded by AusAID/Australian High Commission Colombo and the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Colombo. Mr. Singh, the elections expert who conducted the assessment, has over 20 years experience in the field, primarily with the United Nations.
Three participatory workshops were held in island communities (Seenu Gan, Gaaf Dhaal Nadella, and Baa Dharvandhoo), where Transparency Maldives partnered with the Society for the Development of Addu (SDA), Nadella Zuvanunge Roohu, and Dharvandhoo Islanders' Society (DIS) to conduct the workshops. The remaining three workshops were held in Malé with key stakeholder groups (civil society, political parties, and media).
The electoral assessment is a component of the 'I Choose' (Aharen Khiyaaru Kuranee) project, which also provides training on voter education and domestic observation before the presidential election. Transparency Maldives initiated training last week in Gaaf Dhaal Atoll, on Nadella and Thinadhoo islands.
During the press conference, Transparency Maldives explained the need for domestic observation, and briefly reviewed the content of its training program on voter education and domestic observation. Training sessions will be held in Malé and eight atolls. The sessions in Malé are scheduled for the last week of July and early August.
The organization stressed that the training sessions are open to all community members, including civil servants. The workshops educate participants on their civic rights and duties and election observation, and are non-political and non-partisan.
Transparency Maldives, a National Contact of Transparency International (TI), is a non-political organization that promotes collaboration, awareness, and other initiatives to improve governance and eliminate corruption from the daily lives of people. The organization received formal registration from the Ministry of Home Affairs on 19 July 2007.
More information on the 'I Choose' project and a copy of the electoral assessment report will be posted on the organization's website, www.transparencymaldives.org. The press conference was held in Fansavees, Dharubaaruge at 11 a.m.
Contact:
Mr. Aiman Rasheed,
Project Coordinator
(+960) 790 8967
Ms. Afshan Latheef,
Information and Development Officer
(+960) 775 0976
Transparency Maldives
G. Uthurubin, 2nd Floor
Alikilegefaanu Magu
Malé, Maldives
(+960) 330 4017
office@transparencymaldives.org