The chief of the European Union (EU) observer's team in the Maldives has chosen not to intervene in the country's internal affairs and legal system, declining Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed's request for their assistance in securing the release of former president Abdulla Yameen.
Nasheed made the request to the EU observer's team during their courtesy visit to him. The meeting was attended by Nasheed, Parliament's Secretary General, Council General, and two Members of Parliament.
The team had already commenced their observation mission's work in preparation for the presidential election on September 9. During a press conference on Thursday, August 17, the team's chief, Nacho Sanchez Amor, who is a Member of the European Parliament from Spain, said that their mission is solely focused on observing the election and that they will avoid involvement in the internal affairs of the Maldives.
"In response to his request, I informed Nasheed that as Yameen's matter falls within the purview of the Maldivian legal system, we cannot intervene. Our sole mandate is to observe the election," said Amor.
Amor highlighted EU's participation in monitoring the previous parliamentary election through an observer team, and said that the EU had deployed its largest observer team to the Maldives for this year's presidential election.
During Amor's six-day visit to the Maldives, he held meetings with government officials, the Elections Commission (EC), and other relevant agencies. He also engaged with presidential candidates, local media, and civil organizations.
“I hope all government agencies and political parties would respect the democratic principles before, during and after the elections,” Amor said.
Amor declined to give a direct response when the media inquired about the misuse of state assets for the presidential campaign and the commotions in some of the local islands.
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