The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has announced its decision to halt the use of its ‘Simedha Portal’ for submitting political party membership registration forms, effective January 30. This move comes amid growing public concerns over allegations of fraudulent activities tied to the platform.
The Simedha Portal, initially introduced as a digital solution to simplify and modernize electoral processes, aimed to streamline political party membership registrations. However, the system has faced increasing scrutiny after allegations of forged signatures, manipulated photographs, and falsified information emerged, raising doubts about its integrity.
Speaking to PSM News, ECM member Hassan Zakariyya addressed these concerns, noting that the commission is undertaking a comprehensive reform of the registration process to tackle the issue of fraudulent memberships. Zakariyya emphasized that transitioning to the Maldives’ National Digital Identity service, eFaas, would play a pivotal role in resolving challenges such as re-registrations and other irregularities. He highlighted the added security and reliability of using the eFaas platform for digital submissions.
The ECM has confirmed that the new eFaas-based system will be launched on February 15. This platform is expected to enhance transparency and security, addressing the loopholes that led to the alleged abuses under the Simedha Portal. By integrating eFaas, the commission aims to restore public trust and ensure the credibility of the membership registration process.
The decision to discontinue the Simedha Portal underscores the ECM’s commitment to addressing public concerns and improving electoral processes. As the country prepares to shift to a more secure and digitized system, the move reflects broader efforts to maintain the integrity of the Maldives’ political landscape.
