India urges Maldives to adhere to new poll date

India has strongly urged the Maldives that the fresh election date, set for Oct 19, be adhered to and the new president for the Indian Ocean archipelago nation is elcted in accordance with the wishes of the people.

In a statement issued in the wake of the Maldives Supreme Court annulling the Sep 7 first round of presidential poll, the Indian government also welcomed the statement by Maldives President Mohammed Waheed condemning efforts to stop former president Mohamed Nasheed from running for the election.

The statement said, as a close friend and neighbour of the Maldives, India believes that "it is important that the stalled electoral process is put back on track".

"India strongly urges that the fresh elections dates stipulated in the verdict are adhered to so that a new President is elected in accordance with the wishes and democratic aspirations of the people of Maldives," it said.

India also deplored the incidents of political violence and appealed to all sides to maintain peace and calm and to refrain from extra-constitutional measures.

"We encourage all concerned in the Maldives to work for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections in a peaceful environment followed by a smooth transition Nov 11, as stipulated by the Constitution of Maldives."

India welcomed a statement of the Maldives' president condemning efforts to stop former president Nasheed from contesting the fresh poll.

A petition was filed Thursday in the Maldives apex court seeking the disqualification of Nasheed from contesting all future elections for allegedly criticising the sharia and the judiciary.

In a statement, President Mohamed Waheed Thursday condemned the efforts to annul the candidature of Nasheed.

India said it "continues to stand by its commitment to work with the Government of the Maldives and its state institutions for success of elections".

Nasheed won the first round of Sep 7 presidential poll in the country which was annulled by the Supreme Court later.