Opposition decries Maldives’ second round presidential poll deferment as “a judicial coup”

International community endorses first round results as reflecting the will of the Maldivian people

t’s a judicial coup,” said Hamid A Ghafoor, Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) International spokesman, describing the country’s Supreme Court decision to indefinitely postpone the second round of voting in the country’s presidential election fixed for September 28.

The Court ruling shattered the optimism expressed by international election monitors, as well as the United Nations (UN) and the Commonwealth, after the smooth conduct of the first round of voting held on September 7.

The second round of presidential elections was set after no clear winner emerged in the first round, with former President and leader of the Opposition MDP Mohamed Nasheed emerging as the front runner.

Nasheed won 45 per cent of the vote, while Abdulla Yameen, a step-brother of former President Abdul Gayoom, received a little over 25.35 per cent of the votes. The runoff will be between these two candidates, but the man who emerged third in the race, Gasim Ibrahim, had petitioned the Supreme Court, saying that there was electoral fraud and hence, the first round election be annulled.

MDP spokesman Ghafoor said that the court had acted on the behest of a section of the police and military, and said his Party does not believe the second round will be held as long as the present government remains in power.

“This Court ruling is in violation of the Constitution of the country. If this continues, we will end up like Pakistan. This kind of situation is not only bad for the Maldives, but also for the region, with India and Sri Lanka in particular,” he said.

Since the Court ruling, the International Community (IC) has expressed its concern over the decision, and asked for the second round of voting to be held soon.

However, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidate Abdulla Yameen, who is set to run against Mr Nasheed, has alleged that the first round of voting had not been transparent, and neither free nor fair. He has said that the PPM would accept the annulment of the first round results, if the vote rigging allegations were found to be true.

“We are asking for a transparent election, to establish transparent procedures and principles. Vote again if you have to, but establish the principles first. Do this, and then go on to voting in the second round,” Mr Yameen told a Maldivian tele- vision station last week.

UN Secretary-General (UNSG) Ban ki Moon was among those who expressed concern about the Supreme Court decision, and reiterated that it is of the utmost importance that the will of the people be respected in deciding the future of the country. “These are pivotal elections for reaffirming the democratic process in the Maldives. The people of the Maldives have exhibited great patience and should have the opportunity, without undue delay, to exercise their vote,” the UNSG said in a statement.

The European Union too called on the Maldivian authorities not to delay a presidential runoff vote, and said that, “The IC recognised the outcome of the first round as inclusive and credible, and considered it reflects the will of the Maldivian people."

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) which considered the situation in the Maldives, also urged an early second round poll.

“Under the Maldivian Constitution, a new President is required to be sworn in by November 11, 2013. CMAG Ministers urge all those concerned to ensure that the second round of the election is held at the earliest possible date, so that this constitutional requirement is met,” the statement said. The Commonwealth had deployed election observers in the Maldives during the poll held on September 7, and commented that the first round of voting “was a credible electoral process and met the standards for democratic elections to which the Maldives has committed itself."

Meanwhile, Colombo-based foreign missions accredited to the Maldives too, have been closely monitoring developments in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

U.S. Ambassador Michele J. Sison who was in the Maldivian capital Male, after the controversial Court ruling, urged Maldivian officials and political party leaders to resolve the issue of elections promptly.

“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 US Embassy in Colombo said.

Meanwhile, on the streets of Male, supporters of the MDP have been engaged in nightly protests calling for an early election.

Last Thursday, Mr. Nasheed met with outgoing president Mohamed Waheed Hassan who came last in the first round of voting. It was the first time the two met since Mr. Nasheed resigned as President under controversial circumstances in February 2012, and the incumbent, who was then the Vice President, was sworn in as President.

At the meeting, President Waheed had assured his predecessor that he would ensure a smooth transfer of power, in accordance with the laws, to the winning candidate of the presidential elections.

The Supreme Court is set to give a final ruling on the validity of the first round of the elections next week, sources in the Maldives said.