Maldives National Party MNP has submitted an official complaint to the Elections Commission saying that some State-owned companies are instructing their employees to use a certain color of pens on the ballot papers in next month's Presidential Election.
In a letter to the Commission, the MNP reminded the electoral watchdog that it was its responsibility to ensure the right to vote as well as protect the sanctity of the ballot paper.
It said that some are misusing government resources for Presidential Campaigning. MNP also said that some state-owned companies are ordering their employees to use a certain color of pens or markers on the ballot papers.
The Party said that these employees said that the companies were forcing them to do this and that the employees shared these concerns with MNP.
MNP highlighted in the letter that this would endanger the sanctity of the ballot as stipulated in the constitution.
It urged the Elections Commission to convene the National Advisory Committee to determine whether this election was free from undue influence and that it would be a free and fair election.
The country is set to vote for its President for the next five years on the Election scheduled for 9th of September.
