The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has warned of potential legal consequences for individuals engaging in anti-campaigning activities.

In a recent statement, the ECM noted instances of such activities during the parliamentary election. It included the dissemination of posters and banners containing messages that infringe upon the electoral rights of candidates.

Additionally, ECM has emphasised the adherence to the Elections General Act and the law. The commission urged candidates to refrain from such actions. It warned of legal repercussions for individuals found to be violating these regulations.

Citing Article 29 of the Elections General Act, the ECM underscored the prohibition against campaigning efforts that encroach upon the electoral rights of other candidates. Furthermore, it prohibits the spread of false information about any candidate.

Source(s): PsmNews

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, held phone talks on Monday regarding the tensions between Israel and Iran.

Amir-Abdollahian briefed Wang on Iran’s position on the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, saying that the UN Security Council did not make a necessary response to this attack, and that Iran has the right to self-defense in response to the violation of its sovereignty.

Noting that the current regional situation is very sensitive, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran is willing to exercise restraint and has no intention of further escalating the situation.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China strongly condemns and firmly opposes the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, regarding it as a serious violation of international law and unacceptable.

China has noted Iran’s statement that its action taken was limited and was an act of self-defense in response to the attack against the Iranian consulate in Syria, Wang said.

China appreciates Iran’s stress on not targeting regional and neighboring countries, as well as its reiteration on continuously pursuing a good-neighborly and friendly policy, he said.

It is believed that Iran can handle the situation well and spare the region from further turmoil while safeguarding its own sovereignty and dignity, he added.

Wang also stated that the current situation is the spillover of the Gaza conflict and the pressing task now is to quickly implement UN Security Council Resolution 2728 and end the Gaza conflict to protect civilians and prevent further aggravation of humanitarian disasters.

China is willing to maintain communication with Iran for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue, Wang added.

Source(s): CGTN

The Transport Ministry and Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) entered an agreement on Monday, to launch Raajje Transport Link (RTL) ferry services in N. Atoll, R. Atoll and B. Atoll.

The agreement was signed by Transport Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Mariyam Shahana and MTCC’s CEO Abdulla Ziyadh. The signing was observed by Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ameen noted that RTL services are already available in certain regions.

“The president [Dr. Mohamed Muizzu] has repeatedly said after assuming office that no ongoing projects linked to public welfare will be stopped. That we will improve upon the projects. This is one such example you are witnessing today,” he said.

Ameen said the service is set to be rolled out in six zones, three of which are already operational.

Currently, RTL ferry services are operational in Zone 1 (HA., HDh and Sh. Atoll), Zone 2 (Lh. Atoll), Zone 5 (GA. and GDh. Atoll), and Zone 6 (Fuvahmulah City and Addu City).

MTCC is now expanding RTL ferry services to the remaining atolls, aiming to connect the entire Maldives through a reliable ferry network. According to the company, the project aims to introduce reliable, efficient, convenient, and sustainable passenger ferry services to all administrative islands of the nation.

During Monday’s ceremony, Ameen said that the former administration didn’t make the best arrangements in launching the services.

‘We found there are challenges facing MTCC in providing the services in a sustainable manner,” he said.

Ameen said that some of the current routes aren’t satisfactory to the people, and that major changes will be made over the next one-and-a-half months.

Source(s): MTCC