Maldives headlines

The Elections Commission is facing major challenges preparing for September’s presidential and council elections due to a “lack of funds”, given that the comission requires over MVR 80 million (US$ 5,232,160), Elections Commission Member Ali Mohamed Manik told local media yesterday.

The government-aligned Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) said it remains undeterred by legal disputes over the outcome of the party’s recent primary as it prepares tonight to unveil the running mate of presidential candidate MP Abdulla Yameen.

Heavy rains have led to a food shortage, flooding and property damage on Thinadhoo Island in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. Meanwhile, the island of Fuvahmulah has suffered the most damage, Minister of State for Defence and National Security, as well as head of the National Disaster Management Center (NDMC), Ahmed Mohamed, told local media.

The Criminal Court has asked the Prosecutor General's (PG) Office to revise charges pressed against Ismail Abdul Latheef, the owner of Maleesha Hajj Group, claiming the charges filed against him were incorrect.

"There is a trend visible in many countries, including Muslim countries, to abolish this form of sentencing and also to find alternatives to deal with children and young people who are in such situations. So we are very hopeful that these options will be taken under consideration in Maldives in these particular cases, and other similar cases that may come up,” Pais stated.

The government has continued to pursue legal reforms over the use of punishments like flogging as the UK Foreign Office opts against listing the Maldives as a country of concern for human rights abuses this year.

The US is acquiring some very valuable real estate in the Indian Ocean by exploiting the perceived insecurity of the political elites who usurped power and currently matter in Malé, writes M K Bhadrakumar for the Russia & India Report.

The US has reiterated that it has no intention to establish a base or military presence in the Maldives, after a leaked Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the two countries’ militaries sparked local speculation in April.

The project aims to address climate change impacts by mitigating flooding and erosion due to storm surge, enhance fresh water security, as well as create economic benefits from these sustainable conservation initiatives.

Flooding due to storm surges during high tides, as well as heavy rain accompanied by strong wind and thunder, can be expected throughout the atolls, said a MET weather forecaster.

Chairman of Fishermen's Association Maizan Ahmed Manik told local media that the centre will help reduce the cost of fuel for fishermen, however the information provided via satellite requires a daily fee of MVR 116.66 (US$7.57) or MVR 3,500 monthly (US$ 226.98).

The website will provide “easy access” to information in four key HOPE Campaign areas in both Dhivehi and English. The campaign is focused on helping children ‘heal’, the importance of ‘outreach’, ways to ‘prevent’ abuse, and how to ‘empower’ children against abuse.

“I am willing to attend the committee. I will not be called Sheikh Ilyas if I fail to strip them naked. What will they prove? Who gave these people the right to take out the penalties defined in the Quran and categorize them into Part 1 and Part 2?” Ilyas stated.

Police have been unable to determine the whereabouts of Godzine Sargsyan and two other Maldivians they have been searching for in regard to the ongoing Artur brothers case, police told local media today.

The announcement of the department’s elimination (May 6) comes a day after Waheed met with the United Nation’s Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children Marta Santos Pais.

The High Court bench asked the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) several times as to whether they considered the Supreme Court’s ‘counsel’ a ‘ruling’ in the composition of the Hulhumale Magistrate Court hearing the Nasheed trial.

“There are a lot of rats in the wards. We see them scurrying about. That has become a common sight, especially in the evening,” an IGMH doctor anonymously told local media. “The pantry room is a rat nest, [but] it’s not only the rats. We’ve got a big cockroach problem too,” said an IGMH nurse.

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has pressed charges against two police officers for allegedly assaulting Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik and MP Mariya Ahmed Didi on February 8, 2012 during a brutal police crackdown.

"Political activism doesn’t strip me of my religion. This just displays their lack of maturity and political ineptitude," said the resident of one of the buildings that had 'laadheenee' spray-painted on it this week.

A seven member delegation from the Elections Commission of the Maldives is in India for six days as part of a cooperative program with the Elections Commission of India to enhance the Maldives’ capacity to hold the upcoming presidential and local council elections.