“Cursed” coconuts used to sway voters ahead of Maldives’ presidential polls
Saturday, 7 September 2013 00:00
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Coconuts infused with black magic spells are allegedly being used to sway voters ahead of presidential polls in the Maldives, local media reports say.
Reports have indicated that “cursed coconuts” are being used to shift political party allegiance and incite confrontations between former Maldivian President Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters and Police on Fuvahmulah Island, ahead of Saturday’s presidential election.
A ‘kurumba’ (young coconut) suspected to have a ‘fanditha’ (black magic) curse, with Arabic writing and suspicious symbols burned into the husk, was found in the garden of a home located in Fuvahmulah’s Dhiguvaadu ward, local Minivan News reported.
The offending coconut had then been handed over to Police by residents.
In a separate incident Police summoned a white magic practitioner to evaluate a young coconut believed to have been cursed by a black magic spell, after it was found near the Guraidhoo Island presidential election polling station in Kaafu Atoll.
Police told local media they took the coconut into their possession around 7:05 a.m. yesterday (3 September) after receiving a report that the suspicious ‘kihah’ (immature coconut) was located near the Guraidhoo Island School – the island’s polling station for the 7 September presidential election.
The coconut was discovered near the school where the polling station is to be set up, Island Council Vice President Abdul Latheef Ahmed confirmed to local media.
Using black magic to either prevent people from voting or influence them to vote for a particular party or candidate is common practice on Guraidhoo, local residents had told reporters.
In July, parents at Guraidhoo Island School refused to allow a polling station in the school for the upcoming presidential elections, due to concerns over black magic practiced by a local witch.
However, the Elections Commission ultimately decided to place the ballot box inside Guraidhoo School despite parents’ concerns.
Elections Commissioner Fuwad Thowfeek reassured the parents that the commission would take full responsibility if any black magic incidents occurred.
No arrests have been made regarding the coconuts.
