Brussels, 14/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 13 November, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said that the EU is ready “to consider appropriate measures” should voting in the second round of the presidential elections in the Maldives, scheduled for 16 November, “not bring the electoral process to a successful conclusion”. This process is currently the subject of numerous reports. Ashton said that “neither continuing uncertainty nor a drift towards autocratic rule would be acceptable to the EU”. The EU and its member states will be considering the options in the coming days if this should turn out to be the case, a European source told EUROPE - who asked what measures could be taken.
Noting that during the repeated first round on 9 November the Maldivians voted in high numbers, “reflecting their desire to exercise their democratic rights and their trust in the elections commission”, Ashton stated that, as in September, this first round was conducted “in a professional and impartial way”. “The EU notes that a second round is now scheduled for Saturday 16 November, but in circumstances not foreseen in the constitution” of 2008, which stipulates that a new president must be elected before 11 November and does not provide for any acting president.
The second round scheduled for 10 November was cancelled following an appeal that was lodged, and upheld, by the candidate who came third, Qasim Ibrahim. Ibrahim wanted more time to give his voting instructions to his supporters and supports Abdulla Yameen. The second round was postponed until 16 November. The elections, which were due to take place at the start of September, were cancelled, promised for October, and were finally due to take place on 9-10 November.
“The EU considers that any attempt to further delay or (…) influence the outcome of the elections could only be intended to prevent the people of the Maldives from exercising their democratic right to choose their next president”, Ashton stated.
Mohamed Nasheed, 46, elected head of state in 2008 before being pushed to resign, topped the poll with 46.93% of the vote, ahead of Abdulla Yameen, the half-brother of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, an autocrat who ruled the country for 30 years (29.73% of the vote). Rich businessman Qasim Ibrahim came third (23.34%). (CG/transl.fl)