“President Yameen has yet again directed Maldives security forces to obstruct the country’s democratic processes, this time by sending police to confiscate ballot boxes across the nation in the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presidential primary vote today, and by forbidding television broadcasters to report on opposition candidates running in the elections, including myself.

“I commend the bravery of Maldivians who came out to vote, and those who creatively thwarted the efforts by the government to quash the MDP Presidential Primary by turning cement mixers and fish storage hulls into immovable ballot boxes that could not be confiscated and hauled away by police. It is inspiring to see that Maldivians are rising up with the belief that democracy must prevail, despite the atmosphere of military rule and repression imposed by President Yameen.”

Mohamed Nasheed
30 May 2018