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Maldives responds to Australia over presidential election concerns

Shaina Abdulla
28 June 2018, MVT 14:56
R to L: Foreign secretary Ahmed Sareer meets with Australian ambassador to the Maldives Bryce Hutchesson.
Shaina Abdulla
28 June 2018, MVT 14:56

Maldivian government has made a statement, in response to Australia, stating that all eligible candidates will be given the opportunity to contest in the upcoming presidential elections slated for September 23.

On Tuesday, the Australian Embassy released a statement expressing increasing concern due to the actions of the Maldivian administration, which "undermine democratic institutions and reduce the prospect that the upcoming Presidential Election can free and fair".

Australia had also urged the Maldivian government "to respect the fundamental rights and freedom of all Maldivians, including freedom of assembly and speech and the right to participate fully in election processes" in the statement.

The government of Maldives on Wednesday responded, saying that it is working with Elections Commission (EC) to ensure free and fair elections, adding that all eligible candidates are granted equal opportunities to contest in the run for presidency.

The statement further expressed concern over the actions of certain political parties, "in clear violation of the Constitution and the laws of the country" and noted that such parties are undermining "democratic values".

The government concluded the statement in gratitude of the close bilateral ties between Australia and the Maldives.

Whilst the government maintains that all political parties will be treated equally, main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) continues to refute the "claims".

MDP revealed that the party can only run campaign events within the party hub. Police have also obstructed several of the opposition’s political events, including the putting up of campaign posters last week.

With three months until the elections, the government has recently proposed and passed to tighten the eligibility criteria for presidential candidacy, at the parliament.

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