Elections Commission (EC) of Maldives have amended its decision regarding 'assisted voting' on Sunday.
Earlier the Maldives electoral watchdog had cited a new regulation mandating people with special needs acquiring assistance from designated elections officials permitted by in-charges at ballot stations.
However, post heavy criticism from Maldives opposition parties the commission moved to amend its earlier decision by allowing assisted voters, based on voter preferences instead of designated election officials.
The change has since been gazetted by Maldives electoral watchdog. The commission's president Ahmed Shareef stated its decision of initially tasking elections officials with assisting special needs citizens was to slice down on 'assisted voter' numbers.
