Elections Commission (EC) has stated that a tick mark must be used when voting in public referendums or general elections held in the Maldives under the Elections Act.
As preparations are underway to hold a referendum this coming Saturday to decide on holding the Presidential Election and the Parliamentary Election on the same day, Commission member Hassan Zakariyya said that even if one wishes to say "yes" or "no," a tick mark must be placed on the ballot paper.
"A tick mark must be placed; if any mark other than a tick mark is placed, that vote will be void," Hassan Zakariyya said.
Referring to the General Elections Act, he stated that if anything other than a tick mark is written on the public referendum ballot paper, that vote will be void. Hassan Zakariyya said this includes drawings, logos, and even writing the "king's mark" (X), all of which would invalidate the vote.
"Therefore, on the referendum ballot, a tick mark must be placed next to the person's preferred option or choice. Great attention must be paid to that," he said.
The Elections Commission repeatedly stated that as long as a "tick" mark is placed in the person's chosen section regarding holding the Presidential Election and the Parliamentary Election on the same day, it will be valid.
The question posed in the referendum to decide on holding the country's two main elections on the same day is: "Do you favor the President ratifying the 'Bill on the 8th Amendment to the Constitution' passed by the Parliament, in order to hold the Presidential Election and the Parliamentary Election together and to specify the method for counting the term of the Parliament?"
This referendum is being held alongside the Local Council Elections and the Women's Development Committee Elections.
