The Elections Commission (EC) has been accused of giving the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) the information of those who sign the support forms of independent candidates contesting the upcoming local council elections.

Independent candidates must have the support of at least 50 people. The EC has arranged for the submission of support forms through eFaas. Those who sign the form must confirm it through their eFaas.

A person who signed the endorsement form for an independent candidate, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Adhadhu that soon after he signed the form, he received a phone call from someone in charge of PNC activities in his island.

"Not long after I signed, the PNC called me. If the election commission does not give the information, how will they know that I signed?"

"The election commission has given that information; otherwise, they wouldn't know."

Several others have also made the complaint. In addition, some people who are interested in contesting the council elections are being offered jobs in state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Some of the people who currently hold island council positions have been offered high-paying jobs, residents told the Adhadhu. The offer is made on the condition that they do not contest the April 4 elections.