Further delays will risk damaging to Maldives

Government of the United Kingdom has stated that the Maldives will risk damaging the country’s international reputation if the presidential election is delayed further.

UK’s Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office State Hugo Swire said in a statement today that further delays would only risk instability and create uncertainty in the constitutional situation.

“Maldivians have today again shown their commitment to democracy. It is important that the next round of elections now moves forward quickly as previously agreed by the parties and in line with the directions of the Elections Commission so that the people of the Maldives can have a Government of their choosing.” Huge Swire said.

The Commonwealth also said today that it is unreasonable and unacceptable for political parties to continue to demand changes to the agreed date to hold the second round of the presidential election.

“Voters deserve better from their leaders, and a greater degree of predictability over something as serious as a presidential election,” the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Sir Donald McKinnon said in statement today.

Supreme Court early this morning ordered the Elections Commission to postpone the second round of the presidential election to Saturday, 16 November 2013.