Commonwealth calls for credible polls in the Maldives

The Commonwealth on Friday called for a credible presidential election in the Maldives on Oct. 19 after the previous results were annulled. Sir Donald McKinnon, Commonwealth secretary-general's special envoy to the Maldives, noted in a statement the decision of the Supreme Court of Maldives to annul the first round of the Maldives presidential election. He spoke highly of the ongoing preparations undertaken by the Elections Commission to ensure a new election. "I encourage all Maldivians again to ensure that the presidential election is fully inclusive, credible and peaceful, so that the people of Maldives are free to choose their President from among those candidates already officially approved, and the inauguration can take place on Nov.11. A Commonwealth Observer Group was present in Maldives from Aug. 31 to Sept. 14 and reported positively on the credibility of the electoral process at the time. However the results were challenged in court and the Supreme Court annulled the results and called for fresh elections. Maldives President Mohamed Waheed had on Thursday condemned efforts by individuals to stop former President Mohamed Nasheed from running for president of Maldives. President Waheed's condemnation came after a case was filed in the Supreme Court by a prominent lawyer, requesting a ruling to bar Nasheed from standing for office in the forthcoming elections. "It will not help resolve the already volatile political situation in Maldives," President Waheed said in a statement.