Maldives' Election Comm. members flee the country

Colombo (News1st): Four of the five members of the Maldives' elections commission have fled the country, alleging threats from supporters of outgoing President Abdulla Yameen. Three members are said to be in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, leaving behind just one-panel member. Elections Commissioner Ahmed Shareef said groups of Yameen supporters gathered in front of the members' homes and threatened them, accusing them of accepting bribes from the opposition. The outgoing president on Wednesday filed a petition in the Supreme Court, challenging his shock defeat in last month's election in the island nation, which has been in turmoil since a state of emergency was announced earlier this year. The ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) said it was disappointed that only one commission member remained in the country while "there is a national outcry" over the commission's conduct during the election. The party accuses the elections commission of "vote rigging, fraud, malpractice, and corruption"