Concerned at Delay, UN urges early run-off vote in Maldives

The United Nations has expressed its deep concern over Maldive's Supreme Court decision to delay the second round of the presidential election in the island nation which were earlier scheduled for September 28.
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said it is of the utmost importance that the will of the people be respected in deciding the future of the country.
Urging all Maldivians to work toward conducive conditions for peaceful run-off polls to take place as soon as possible, the Secretary General said "these are pivotal elections for reaffirming the democratic process in the Maldives".
Meanwhile, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives has urged Maldivian officials to resolve the issue of elections promptly, a US official said.

"International and domestic observers, including US Government officials, all characterised the first round of Maldivian presidential elections as free and fair. The high turnout reflects the Maldivian people's desire to democratically elect their own representatives," the official said on condition of anonymity.
"Holding the second round of elections in a timely fashion -- as mandated by the Maldivian constitution -- is central to the democratic process and a peaceful transition of power that reflects the will of the Maldivian people," the official said.

Noting that Canada is concerned by the delay of the Maldives' runoff election, the Canadian Foreign Minister, John Baird said the Commonwealth countries should discuss the issue on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

"International election observers, including from the Commonwealth, as well as domestic election observers, all viewed the September 7 election as free and fair. This delay is troublesome and can only lead to more instability," he said.
"We call on the people of the Maldives to work together in a calm and democratic fashion and on judicial authorities to not unduly delay the expression by Maldivians of their democratic will," Baird said in a statement.