The Election Commission (EC) has said the final voters' list will be publicised this week after evaluating all 551 complaints received in relation to the provisional list of eligible voters for the upcoming presidential election.
The commission's Vice President Ismail Habeeb said 551 complaints have been received since the provisional list of eligible voters was released. He said the complaints have been evaluated.
Of the complaints submitted to the voters' list, 465 were related to deaths. Fifty-eight complaints were received over changes to permanent address while 19 complaints were received in connection to missing names from the list.
After considering the complaints, the permanent list will be published in the gazette this week, he said. He also responded to the opposition's allegations that the list is being manipulated.
"The voter list is not kept secret. As per the law you made, the list is gazetted and sent to the parties. The list is open for complaints in all islands and changes related to complaints are gazetted," Habeeb said.
Only those on the final list will be able to vote in the September presidential election.
"Since one of the most important foundations of an election is the voters' list, it is very important for parties, candidates, councils and individuals to ensure the accuracy of this list," Habeeb stated.
