Presidential elections will be held next year: Fuad

President of Elections Commission Fuad Thawfeeg said today that presidential elections will be held next year as per the constitution.

In an interview with Sun, Fuad said that the Commission is making the necessary arrangements to hold the presidential elections and parliamentary elections as stated in the constitution. In an audio clip leaked earlier, the President is heard saying that presidential elections will not be held until the establishment of freedom of expression and justice in the courts.

“Elections Commission will hold the presidential elections every five years and also hold parliamentary elections according to the constitution. No matter what happens, Elections Commission will work in accordance with the laws. That’s where we stand,” Fuad said.

He said that he is not informed of the President’s statements, and that the Commission will have to seek legal advice if any person says that elections will not be held on the date indicated in the laws.

“I will have to seek legal advice on this matter. I can only comment after that,” Fuad said.

In the nineteen-second audio clip, the President is heard saying, “I will not hold presidential elections at the end of these five years without the establishment of two things: the freedom of expression and justice in the courts. This is a promise I made to the Maldivian citizens…”

According to Article 110 of the Constitution, presidential elections must be held between 120 to 130 days before the end of every presidential term. This is a responsibility held by the Elections Commission.