The opposing Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has lodged a complaint with the Elections Commission, stating that the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was giving out bribes to influence the ongoing Komandoo by-election.
According to PPM, voters were being bribed with cash inside a restaurant in the vicinity of the vote center at Iskandar School in Male'. The said restaurant had a 'reserved' board on its door, with another sign stating 'MDP only'.
It was also brought to the attention of the Elections Commission that MDP was using a building in front of the vote center as a special center on the occasion of the by-election. However, PPM has now established their own center on a different floor of the same building, and said vote-related arrangements are being coordinated at the center.
The President of the Elections Commission, Fuwad Thawfeek, has confirmed that the commission had received two complaints regarding the by-election.
