The Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) has released guidelines under which the upcoming local council elections slated for May 6th is to be covered.
In addition to reminding broadcasters to fully adhere to regulations, particularly those on reporting political content, the guidelines entail that reportage that constitutes libel or anti-campaign will not be allowed.
The circular also advises news sources to refrain from reporting any information that may ‘affect the impartiality’ of the elections and asks broadcasters mindful of laws on freedom of expression and defamation.
The Election Commission announced the postponement on Friday.
Initially, the polls were scheduled for January 14th, and was delayed after the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives’s (PPM) faction led by President Abdulla Yameen pursued a case at the civil court on the grounds that they had lost their membership database, though the deadline to submit candidates was December 1st.
The court had ruled in favour of the party and ordered that the elections be held on a date that allows PPM’s candidates adequate time to campaign and prepare for the ballots. This verdict is in line with another clause in the Local Council Elections Act which states that candidates must have a period of at least 28 days to contest the elections.
This resulted in the elections’ postponement to April 8th, however the commission delayed it further over the unavailability of schools to place ballot boxes in. It was then slated for April 15th.
