Snap elections to be held in July 2013

President Dr. Mohamed Waheed has called for elections in July 2013. In the press release issued by the President’s Office, it was stated that this is the the earliest date permitted under the Constitution and that the President is fully committed to strengthening democratic processes in the Maldives.

The press release also stated that the President Waheed is confident in calling the country to a vote at the earliest constitutionally mandated time. It also stated that the successful holding of parliamentary by-elections on 14th April, that were ratified by all political parties, confirmed the democratic credentials of the Election Commission and the independent institutions involved.

In response to the findings of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (GMAG), the Government noted the continued engagement by the Commonwealth in strengthening democracy and the rule of law in the Maldives especially in recent weeks.

“The Government of the Maldives is fully committed to a credible and independent investigation into the events of the 14th January – 8th February 2012 and fully supports the impartial Commission of National Inquiry, set up to conduct the investigation.”

The Press release issued by the President’s Office also stated that it fully welcomes the offer of Commonwealth Special Envoy Sir Donald McKinnon to assign a judge to advise and assist the Commission of National Inquiry, while the Government agrees with the views of the United Nations’ Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, that this investigation should be conducted by means of a national mechanism.

The Press release also stated the Government of Maldives is fully committed to upholding the Constitution, rule of law, and democratic values championed by the Commonwealth.

Meanwhile, the President elsewhere said that he is ready to hold elections if the Majlis passes an amendment to the constitution which will make it possible to hold elections earlier than the current earliest date stipulated by the constitution, which is 120 days before the end of a Presidential term.

Despite the calls to earlier elections, up until now the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has not proposed an amendment to make early elections possible.

While the Commonwealth has been expressing their concern over the transfer of power on February 7, and although the main event that lead to the transfer of power was the arrest of Criminal Court’s Chief Judge Abdullah Mohamed by the former government on the claims of reforming the Judiciary, former President Mohamed Nasheed said that he has tried to seek the assistance of the Commonwealth to reform the Judiciary but there has been no response from the organisation.

In view of the latest statement of the Commonwealth, government coalition members have been criticizing and pointing out the inconsistencies in the statement.