EC should be permitted to conduct election at earliest possible date, urges UK

The United Kingdom has stated that the Election Commission should be permitted to carry out the presidential election at the earliest possible date to ensure Maldives elects a president by 11th November, as required by the constitution.

In a statement published by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed “deep dismayed” following the further delay of the presidential election, which was scheduled for today (Saturday).

“I am deeply dismayed by further delays in the Maldives Presidential elections. It is vital that the democratic process is allowed to proceed and that a new President is inaugurated by 11 November in line with the Maldives Constitution. I strongly urge that the Election Commission be permitted to carry out the presidential election at the earliest possible date so that constitutional requirements may be met,” the UK Foreign Office statement read.

The foreign secretary also called on all parties in the Maldives to respect democratic values, and to allow transparent, free and fair elections to proceed without further delay.