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Elections Commission President Mohamed Shakeel made the remarks on Voters’ Day, urging Maldivians to treat their vote as a trust and exercise it with honesty, sincerity and responsibility
Mariyam Adheela
Elections Commission (EC) President Mohamed Shakeel
MALÉ: Elections Commission (EC) President Mohamed Shakeel has described every vote as a testament to the integrity and competence of the voter, urging Maldivians to exercise their voting rights responsibly and with sincerity.
In a message marking Voters’ Day, observed annually on August 25, Shakeel said voting is an “amanah”, or trust, and called on citizens to maintain honesty, sincerity and fear of Allah when casting their votes.
He said every vote cast to elect representatives to the country’s leadership, the People’s Majlis and local councils can have a direct and indirect impact on national development, equality before the law and the functioning of state institutions.
Shakeel noted that the Maldives is a 100 percent Muslim country and said the principles of justice in Islam should be considered when exercising the right to vote.
This year’s Voters’ Day is being observed under the theme “A Vote is a Right and a Responsibility.”
The Maldives began officially observing Voters’ Day in 2015, following a decision made at a ceremony held that year to mark International Day of Democracy.
The annual observance aims to encourage greater public participation in democracy, promote voters’ rights and strengthen confidence in the electoral system.
It also seeks to raise awareness among citizens about the importance of voting and provide information related to elections and democracy.
