Tag: Maldives

Male: A complaint has been submitted to the Elections Commission (EC) alleging major irregularities in the population list compiled by Thinadhoo Council, which is being used to determine constituencies for the upcoming local council elections.

The EC recently published its provisional list of constituencies and opened the window for complaints. Based on the population figure of 10,150 people submitted by Thinadhoo Council, the commission has allocated a mayor and six council members, including two seats reserved for women, in line with the Decentralization Act.

Under the law, a population of 10,000-30,000 qualifies an island for city status. Below 10,000 does not.

The Department of National Registration (DNR), however, lists Thinadhoo’s population at 8,194. A separate case previously filed by a private party is already seeking to revoke Thinadhoo’s city status on this basis.

According to the letter of complaint submitted to the EC, Thinadhoo’s 2023 population list prepared by the council contains widespread inaccuracies. The complainant alleges that:

Deceased individuals are listed as residents.
People who have moved to other islands remain on the list.
Individuals who never lived in Thinadhoo appear in the registry.
Certain names have been duplicated across multiple houses, with changes in spelling or ID numbers.

The complainant further stated that both their own and their mother’s names were found registered in two constituencies, and that police are already investigating the issue.

The letter claims that approximately 2,200 people who are not actual residents of Thinadhoo have been included, significantly inflating the population figure used by the EC.

The complaint warns that if the upcoming council elections proceed on the basis of the disputed list, “one person may end up voting in two constituencies,” and even deceased individuals could appear as voters.

The letter also argues that the EC cannot responsibly determine council seats or constituencies without first verifying the population data submitted by councils, calling the current situation a threat to “responsible democracy.”

The complainant urged the EC to base its administrative boundary decisions on the DNR population list, not the council’s.

In addition to Thinadhoo, the cities of Male’, Addu, Fuvahmulah, and Kulhudhuffushi all have populations above 10,000. The EC has already begun preparations for local council elections scheduled for April next year.

Male: The Maldives began implementing a smoking ban Saturday on anyone born after January 2007, becoming the only nation with a generational prohibition on tobacco, the Health Ministry said.

The move, initiated by President Mohamed Muizzu earlier this year – which came into effect on 1 November – will “protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation”, the ministry said.

“Under the new provision, individuals born on or after January 1, 2007 are prohibited from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco products within the Maldives,” it added.

“The ban applies to all forms of tobacco, and retailers are required to verify age prior to sale.”

The measure also applies to visitors to the nation of 1,191 tiny coral islets scattered some 800 kilometres (500 miles) across the equator and known for its luxury tourism.

The ministry said it also maintains a comprehensive ban on the import, sale, distribution, possession, and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products, applicable to all individuals regardless of age.

Selling tobacco products to an underage person carries a penalty of 50,000 rufiyaa ($3,200), while using vape devices carries a fine of 5,000 rufiyaa ($320).

A similar generational ban proposed in Britain is still going through the legislative process, while New Zealand – the first country to enact such a law against smoking – repealed it in November 2023, less than a year after it was introduced.

Male: The Maldives today signed the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime.

At a ceremony held in Hanoi, Vietnam, the agreement was signed on behalf of the Maldives by Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah Khaleel.

Delivering a speech at the event following the signing, Khaleel stated that the Convention is a crucial pillar of the Maldives’ National Digital Strategy.

He highlighted that the government has set a goal for the digital sector to account for 15 percent of the Maldivian economy by 2030. The Minister also noted that the government’s “Maldives 2.0” vision aims to establish a digital ecosystem focused on the citizens.

Khaleel acknowledged that despite the increased risk of cybercrime due to the limited technical capabilities of small island developing states (SIDS), these challenges will not deter the Maldives’ efforts.

He explained that signing the Convention offers an opportunity to enhance cooperation with international partners in defining, investigating, and prosecuting crimes in line with international standards to combat cybercrime. He also pointed out that joining the Convention will open doors for training opportunities and technical assistance in the field.

The international treaty on preventing cybercrime, the “UN Convention on Cybercrime,” was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December last year. The proposal to create this convention was initiated by Russia in 2017.

The primary commitment of countries signing the Convention is to standardize laws and enhance cooperation to collectively combat crimes committed via the internet. Specifically, signatory nations are required to criminalize various harms delivered through the internet. For instance, classifying things like IT fraud and unauthorized access to people’s devices as criminal offenses.

The Parliament gave its consent for the Maldives to join the Convention on the 15th of this month.