No country or organization can impose an election date: PPM

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has stated that no country or organization can impose a specific date for the Maldives to hold elections.

PPM council member, also the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dhunya Maumoon said at a PPM press conference today that all local and international parties must show due respect to the Supreme Court.

“Statements by India, The Commonwealth and UK have specifically stated very clearly that the second round of voting shall be held on 28th September. We believe that no organization or country can tell us when to hold voting,” Dhunya said.

The possibility for unrest is not limited to delayed elections, Dhunya said, but is also possible if the election is conducted by a Commission that does not hold the people's confidence.

“I believe that delaying the election is not the only reason that might lead to unrest. Unrest is also possible if the election is held by an institution that does not hold the people’s faith, or through a process which the people do not trust."

“We, even then, and by the current government, including our party and by parties within the coalition, have taken the stand that very firmly, that we will not bow down to international pressure. We are in independent sovereign country,” Dhunya said.