No room to doubt that free and fair elections can be held in the Maldives: Shakeela

Dr. Mariyam Shakeela, Minister temporarily in-charge of the Ministry of Gender and Human Rights, has said that she does not believe that there is room to doubt that free and fair elections can be held in the Maldives.

Speaking at the 5th session of the high level segment of the currently ongoing regular session of the 22nd United Nations Human Rights Council, Dr. Shakeela said that a number of international organizations continue to call upon the Maldives to ensure that the 2013 presidential elections are held in an all-inclusive, free and fair manner, and that in 2008 and in 2009, Maldives has proven to the world that they are capable of holding free and fair elections.

In relation to the statements made by parties saying that a particular candidate must be able compete in the election, Shakeela said that the eligibility of the candidates will be decided by an independent institution, the Elections Commission of the Maldives. She said that the commission has already announced the criteria for eligibility and that no party shall force the Maldivian Judiciary or the Elections Commission to include a particular candidate in the upcoming presidential elections.

Shakeela also highlighted the efforts undertaken by the Maldivian Government to promote human rights in the Maldives.