Presidential Elections Halted by Police in Maldives

Ritambhara Rai Bhattarai,

Correspondent (Politics)

MALE — The Maldives Police have halted the first round of presidential elections that were to be held on October 19, 2013. Police surrounded the offices used by officials for the poll, saying that they could not let the elections start when the candidates themselves failed to sign a voter register, which is taken as a violation of the supreme court guidelines.

After the police stopped the vote taking place, which ex-president Mohamed Nasheed was expected to win, the election was postponed to November 9, 2013. Diplomats have warned that if the election is not held on time the country may head towards constitutional crisis and power vacuum.

European Union’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton says ,“Further instability would also damage the country’s economy and its relations with it international partners.” Nasheed’s supporters are of opinion that this was a “Coup.” The other two candidates for the election are Abdulla Yameen, (the half brother of Yaamin Abdul Gayoom), and Gasim Ibrahim, a tourism and media tycoon, who once served as Mr. Gayoom’s Finance Minister. Mr. Gayom, the former dictator who ruled Maldives for 30 years, is suspected to be involved in the election halt.

In institutions, including the judiciary, public service and judiciary Mr. Gayoom’s loyals are doubted to be serving him. Farah Faizal, is the former Maldives high commissioner to the UK says, “The current regime doesn’t want an election because they know Nasheed will have a majority win”.

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