Election security agreement signed between EC and police

Elections Commission and the Maldives Police Service has today signed an agreement outlining security procedures and conduct for the presidential election polling day, Saturday the 7th of September.

The agreement was signed by Elections Commission President Fuad Thafeeq and Deputy Police Commission Hussain Waheed at an event held in Iskandar Koshi today.

Speaking at the signing event, Fuad Thaufeeq said that the Police institution has achieved great progress in preparation this year compared to the recent major elections of 2008, 2009 and 2011. He is content with the level of information and support provided by the Police Service, Fuad said, and is confident that this year’s election will be peaceful, with police support.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed said that the agreement will outline the boundaries of conduct for both parties. He assured that the police will maintain peace in all areas of the country, to ensure that all citizens can move around and reach polling stations without difficulty.

Police said that under the agreement, they have agreed to provide security to all polling stations during polling day, and to the Election Commission office, private residences of all EC members, and the personal security of all EC members, until such time that the Commission declares that all work relating to the presidential election has been completed.

Police have also agreed to provide special assistance to the EC in any election related incident, prior to, and after the polling day.