Dr. Ahmed Shaheed Former Foreign Minister has said that it would be difficult for observers from organizations like EU to come to Maldives to observe the forthcoming presidential elections without adequate notice. Dr. Shaheed who is also a founder member of the New Maldives Movement noted that a date has not been set for the elections.
Dr. Shaheed said although the government claims to have invited international observers they would require adequate advance notice. He said such notices are required for necessary planning and preparations.
“Its already late, government should have finalized a date and invited the observers last October, if invitations were sent out last October, it would have provided with them with adequate notice” said Dr. Shaheed.
According to Dr. Shaheed elections can be held smoothly in a fair manner. If government went ahead as set out in the Reform Agenda, then elections could have been smooth said Dr. Shaheed. Dr. Shaheed noted as stipulated under the new constitution, parliamentary elections must be held along with presidential elections. He also noted that the parliamentary elections should be under the new constitution in order to ratify the special privileges and powers granted under the new constitution to the parliament members.
Minister of Information and Legal Reform Mohamed Nasheed speaking on the issue said official invitations has been extended to international organizations to observe the elections. He also said approximate dates when such an election may be held were also given. Minister Nasheed said that he believed adequate notice has been given.
According to John Culley, Director of Political Affairs at British Embassy in Colombo last Thursday said official sources have informed him that the first multiparty elections in Maldives would be held in October this year.
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