EU

The European Union has stated it is ready to consider appropriate measures against the Maldives should the poll on 16 November not bring the electoral process to a successful conclusion.

In a declaration released by Catherine Ashton on behalf of the European Union, the High Representative stated that neither continuing uncertainty nor a drift towards autocratic rule would be acceptable.

“The EU underlines that neither continuing uncertainty nor a drift towards autocratic rule would be acceptable to the EU and that it is therefore ready to consider appropriate measures should the poll on 16 November not bring the electoral process to a successful conclusion,” the statement read.

The EU also noted that the second round, now scheduled for Saturday 16 November, is a circumstance not foreseen in the Constitution.

“The EU considers that any attempt to further delay or otherwise influence the outcome of the elections could only be intended to prevent the people of the Maldives from exercising their democratic right to choose their next president,” said the EU.

The international community, including the Commonwealth and the United Nations, has expressed deep concern over the delayed presidential election in the Maldives, especially with regard to the delay in the second round of the re-run of the presidential election past the constitutional deadline of the presidential term. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) on Wednesday placed Maldives on its formal agenda.