Maldives: Disappointed India insists on time-bound polls

With Maldives failing to have polls today, India expressed deep disappointment and concern over "attempts to stall the democratic process" and asked all stakeholders there to ensure that the new President is sworn in on November 11 as mandated by the Constitution.
External Affairs Ministry said the government and all political parties of Maldives should fulfil their responsibility towards people and put the electoral process back on track immediately with a definite timeline.
"India is deeply disappointed that the repeat first round of the Presidential elections was not held as scheduled today... And that the Election Commission was not allowed to proceed with holding elections as per its Constitutional mandate," the Ministry said in a statement.

"India and the international community have been closely watching the developments in Maldives and are seriously concerned at the attempts to stall the democratic process," it said.
The MEA reaction came hours after police blocked a re-vote in Maldives. The re-vote was necessitated because of annulment of the balloting held on September 7 in which no candidate crossed the mandatory 50 per cent mark even though former President Mohamed Nasheed got 45.45 per cent.
"Keeping in mind the wishes and aspirations of the people of Maldives, who have so far shown admirable patience and restraint, it is important that the electoral process is put back on track immediately with a definite timeline so that a new President is elected and sworn in on November 11, 2013 as mandated by the constitution," the MEA said.

"India calls upon the Government of Maldives and all parties concerned to fulfil their responsibility towards the people of the Maldives by playing a constructive role in the election process and by fully assisting the (Maldivian) Election Commission in holding the Presidential polls without further delay," it added.