News Desk
The Election Commission has advised the public to take extra care when marking ballot papers in Saturday’s vote on whether presidential and parliamentary elections should be held on the same day.
Election Commissioner Hassan Zakaria said voters must use a clear tick mark in either the “yes” or “no” box. He noted that this is the legally recognised method under the Elections Act, which governs both opinion polls and general elections.
The referendum question asks voters whether they approve the proposed Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, which would synchronise presidential and parliamentary elections and set rules for calculating the age of Parliament.
The commission said all stages of the vote, including local council ballots, women’s development committee elections and the referendum vote, follow strict procedures designed to protect secrecy. The statement was issued after allegations that the commission was acting in a way that could compromise voter privacy.
Former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood recently claimed the government was attempting to undermine secrecy in several upcoming votes. The commission rejected the accusation, calling it baseless and untrue.
According to the EC, no official will be instructing to vote in any particular way. Each voter will receive three ballot papers and may cast their vote freely.
The commission said it regrets the spread of false information intended to create doubt about its work. It assured the public that all electoral processes will be conducted transparently and fairly, with full protection of the secrecy of the vote.
