UN, Canada and Australia express concern over delayed election

The United Nations and the governments of Canada and Australia have expressed concern over the Supreme Court decision ordering the postponement of the second round of the presidential election.

In a statement published on 24th September, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon noted that the conduct of the first round on 7th September had been widely recognized as a success by international and domestic election observers.

He stated that the people of the Maldives have exhibited great patience and should have the opportunity, without undue delay, to exercise their vote.

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird stated in a statement on Tuesday that the “delay is troublesome and can only lead to more instability.”

He called on the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to discuss this issue at its Friday meeting in New York City.

In a statement by the Australian High Commission in Colombo on 25th September, the Australian government called on all parties to maintain calm and order and to work together peacefully and cooperatively while this situation is considered by the Supreme Court. It continued to state that the Australian government hopes to see an early resumption of the electoral process.

All three parties noted that international and domestic election observers viewed the September 7 election as free and fair and highlighted the importance of the democratic process.