Elections Commission (EC) President Fuwad Thowfeek downplayed dissension that arose within the commission during the approval process for The Democrats party formed by supporters of Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.
Fuwad told Adhadhu's 'Etherefuh' program that disagreements among members could be a "strength" if it was properly channeled but could also be a weakness otherwise.
"We are trying to use it in the right manner," Fuwad said.
Fuwad faced the displeasure of two EC members when he tried to expedite the process of registering The Democrats. The members who disagreed with him asked to use the full period granted by law to process membership forms submitted by The Democrats. But Fuwad urged the commission to do it faster.
Rumors then emerged about the two members refusing to attend meetings chaired by Fuwad. Asked if meetings were now taking place, Fuwad said the problems were being resolved despite "difficulties caused when there were differences of opinion to such a serious extent".
"We were able to hold meetings this week as well. We were also able to make decisions that the commission needed to make," Fuwad said.
The disagreements within the EC come amid preparations for the presidential election. Fuwad assured that work would not be affected despite the disagreements.
However, Adhadhu has learned that the discord within the commission is much worse than Fuwad revealed. Two members unhappy with Fuwad have been refusing to attend meetings chaired by him.
Fuwad believes that the commission's reputation suffered as a result of the differences of opinion among commission members. But he believes that the conduct of the presidential election would be free and fair.
