The group of Commonwealth observers deployed to monitor the 2019 parliamentary election, on Friday, conveyed its findings to Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.
During the meeting held at the Foreign Ministry, the team's chair, former Prime Minister of Jamaica Bruce Golding commended the peaceful and organized manner the elections were conducted.
He also made note of the high degree of professionalism and integrity demonstrated by polling officials and expressed impressment with the Elections Commission's (EC) effective use of technology throughout the elections.
Honoured to meet Hon. Bruce Golding, Chair of @commonwealthsec Observer Group for Parliamentary elections in Maldives. Pleased to hear the positive feedback on the elections and that it was held in a free, fair and impartial manner. Maldives will strive to improve even further! pic.twitter.com/pyaDXsrZFf
— Abdulla Shahid 🎈 (@abdulla_shahid) April 12, 2019
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, Additional Secretary Javed Faizal and Assistant Director Salman Zaki also attended the meeting.
The Commonwealth was also represented by Political Advisor Clara Cole and Communications Officer Snober Abbasi.
Following the conclusion of the elections on April 6, the Commonwealth team released a preliminary statement on their findings.
The full report, which will be considered in the Maldives' request to rejoin the Commonwealth, is to be publicised after being submitted to the Secretary-General.
The delegation consists of 13 individuals who are experts in legal, diplomatic and political matters in addition to having knowledge of election procedures.
The observers arrived in the Maldives on March 30 and is scheduled to depart on April 13. In addition to visiting the Elections Management Center in Male', the team travelled to numerous islands and met key stakeholders, including political parties and civil society organizations
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