Election will not be held tomorrow, announces EC

The Elections Commission (EC) has officially announced that the presidential run-off will not be held tomorrow, citing that a suitable environment does not exist to hold an election. This was announced following a meeting held by the commission members and lawyers this evening. Before this announcement was made, High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Rajeev Shahare, and four election observers of The Commonwealth met with the members of the Elections Commission. In the announcement made to cancel tomorrow’s election, the Elections Commission highlighted that the Supreme Court had issued an order upon the security forces to halt all efforts, with immediate effect, related to election preparations. The commission said, “It is the responsibility of this Commission to ensure an environment free of threats, intimidation, undue influence, violence and corruption, where citizens can exercise their right to vote in a free and fair manner. The Commission does not believe that such an environment exists in the Maldives at the moment.”

The Elections Commission has officially announced their decision that a suitable environment does not exist to hold the presidential run-off tomorrow.

Reports have been received to indicate that the Elections Commission decided during the meeting that, despite efforts to hold the election, a suitable environment does not exist to hold the election tomorrow. This has however not been confirmed. Elections Commission sources who spoke to Sun Online said that the commission members’ decision will be announced shortly.

The four officials of The Commonwealth have left the Elections Commission after about one hour. They did not respond to questions posed by reporters as they exited the commission.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged foreign groups not to interfere with the internal affairs of the Maldives. Communication Director at the Foreign Ministry, Ibrahim Muaz, told Sun Online moments ago that he heard reports of the Indian High Commissioner visiting the Elections Commission. He condemned this visit and urged foreign officials to 'stay within their boundaries'.

Shahare has left the Elections Commission. He did not respond to reporters' questions.

Secretary General of the Elections Commission says that the meeting is still ongoing