Foreign observers have praised the voting arrangements made by the Elections Commission (EC) for the this year’s parliamentary election.

A total of 19 international observers from nine different countries visited the Maldives to observe the election for the 20th parliament assembly. The observer groups consisted of elections commissioners and chief elections commissioners of the foreign countries.

The chair of the foreign observers team spoke with the local media, noting they monitored the elections by splitting the team into four groups.

The observers team chair also highlighted peaceful proceedings across the all polling stations from commencement until the end, and singled out the installation of fans for voters in waiting areas.

“It is delightful to see that 90% of the elections officials were women. Vote counting had begun almost immediately after polling closed, which too proceeded peacefully,” the observers team chair commented.

Besides this, majority of the observers had praised the use of technological equipment in the voting as well. Nelson Sallis, the election monitor from the Philippines highlighted the voter’s details could be accessed promptly using the tablets used by the officials, which allowed voters to cast the ballots faster.

“This was an exemplary usage of technology by the Maldives Elections Commission,” Nelson said.

The monitors unanimously singled out the lack of any notable confrontations or commotions at the polling stations during the election, and praised the Elections Commission for it.

Source(s): sun.mv

U.S. President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over phone on Monday that his administration will soon quickly provide additional arms to Ukraine once a bill authorizing related funds clears Congress and becomes law.

“President Biden shared that his administration will quickly provide significant new security assistance packages to meet Ukraine’s urgent battlefield and air defense needs as soon as the Senate passes the national security supplemental and he signs it into law,” the White House said in a readout of the call.

Biden was referring to the $61 billion aid for Ukraine that the House passed Saturday. The measure, now bundled with other foreign aid funding, will be voted on as a comprehensive national security supplemental appropriations bill in the Senate this week, with passage all but certain and Biden pledging to sign it as soon as it reaches his desk.

“President Biden also underscored that the U.S. economic assistance will help maintain financial stability, build back critical infrastructure,” the readout said, adding that the economic assistance will also “support reform as Ukraine moves forward on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration.”

Zelenskyy said on Telegram that the new aid from Washington is expected to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense as well as its long-range and artillery capabilities.

The Ukrainian president also discussed with Biden the work on a bilateral security agreement and the preparations for the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland slated for mid-June, he said.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on X on Saturday that senators have reached an agreement to vote on the national security supplemental on Tuesday.

Source(s): CGTN

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has urged all political leaders to refrain from political rivalry and to exert collaborative efforts, aiming for the nation’s expedite development. The remarks were made by the president in the event held to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of the People’s National Congress (PNC) in the parliamentary elections.

Speaking at the event, President Dr. Muizzu affirmed that the projects and plans made by the government will be executed and completed at an accelerated rate, following PNC’s victory. The president assured that with the new Parliament, the international community will comprehend the significance of independence and freedom of expression to the Maldivians. On this stance, he invited all political leaders to participate and exert collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable development in a timely manner. He additionally ensured that no individual will be discriminated based on their parties.

Furthermore, President Dr. Muizzu stated that it is a responsibility of all individuals to contribute to the development of the nation. The president urged boosting communal harmony and bolstering Islamic values as well.

Source(s): PsmNews