13/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - Pressure over election commission. On 12 March, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton spoke out against the decision of the Maldives Supreme Court on 9 March to disqualify the president and vice-president of the election commission, to sentence the president to six months in prison and to convict all four members of the election commission for contempt of court. “This is a serious setback in the democratic transition of the country”, she stressed, commending the “fundamental role” played by this Commission “in ensuring transparent, inclusive and credible elections”. “An independent and professional election commission, functioning in accordance with international standards, is a key institution in a democracy”, she added. Ashton calls on the Maldives to complete its parliamentary elections on 22 March “in line with constitutional deadlines and international standards, while respecting the independence of the Maldives election commission”. An EU election observation mission has been deployed to the country. (CG)