Favoring a
candidate is an attempt to influence election: Foreign Ministry
Public statements by other countries which favor a particular candidate are seen as attempts to influence the outcome of the elections, Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said in a statement issued yesterday. The statement has been issued at a time when the former President and presidential candidate of the main opposition MDP Mohamed Nasheed has taken refuge in the Indian High Commission since Wednesday to escape arrest warrant by court to face trial in connection with the illegal arrest of a senior Judge of the Criminal Court.
United States, United Kingdom, United Nations, India and the Commonwealth have called on the government for restraint and dialogue and the presidential elections scheduled for 7 September be fair, free and inclusive ensuring the chosen candidates of recognized political parties be able to contest the elections. They have also stressed the integrity of and public confidence in the Maldives electoral process must be maintained.
India has issued a statement immediately after Nasheed took refuge in the High Commission saying it is necessary that the presidential nominee of recognized political parties be free to participate in the elections without hindrance.
Maldivian Foreign Ministry reacted strongly to the Indian statement by saying it was unfortunate that the Government of India has decided to publicly comment on the events instead of opting for bilateral discussions. Foreign Ministry also expressed regret for Indian Government’s decision to comment on the types of candidates that could contest the upcoming presidential elections when the Elections Commission has not announced the candidates for the election.
A top official of the President’s Office has said that the High Commission giving refuge to former President Nasheed is tantamount to obstructing the judicial system of the Maldives.
However India has maintained that it has not interfered in the internal affairs of the Maldives but it maintains broad based contacts with all political parties as part of its commitment to multiparty democracy.