Commonwealth calls for a peaceful election

The Commonwealth has called on all Maldivians to ensure that the presidential election scheduled for 19 October is conducted in a credible and peaceful manner.

Former Prime Minister of Malta Dr Lawrence Gonzi, leader of the nine-member Commonwealth Observer Group team which has been in Male’ since 16 October, said, “I hope that all Maldivians will play their part to ensure that the 19 October election is conducted in a credible and peaceful manner, so that the people of Maldives can exercise their fundamental right to choose their President."

The Commonwealth Observer Group, constituted by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma on 31 August at the invitation of the Maldives Elections Commission, is mandated to observe and consider all aspects of the electoral process with a view to assessing compliance with the standards for democratic elections to which Maldives has committed itself. Where appropriate, the Group may also make recommendations for the future strengthening of the electoral framework.

The Commonwealth has said that the group will submit its final report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, who will in turn send it to the Government of Maldives, the Elections Commission of Maldives, Maldivian political parties and eventually to all Commonwealth governments.

The nine-member Commonwealth Observer Group will stay in Maldives until 23 October.