Complete Maldives presidential election: UN chief

United Nations – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Sunday called on all parties concerned in the Maldives to complete the presidential election process “without further delay” while congratulating the island nation on peaceful voting.

“The Secretary-General congratulates the people of the Maldives on the peaceful and transparent conduct of the presidential election on 9 November, following so many obstacles and delays,” reported Xinhua citing the UN chief in a statement.

He appreciated the Elections Commission for again administering the process professionally and credibly. The UN chief also commended the ” extraordinary patience” of voters and citizens.

According to the statement, the participation was very high, with voter turnout exceeding 80 percent. Nonetheless, the UN chief is gravely concerned at the decision to delay the second round scheduled for Nov 10.

“He urgently calls on all political actors and state institutions to show restraint, to respect the legitimate will of the people expressed in the election on 9 November, and to conclude the presidential election process without further delay in the best interest of the Maldivian people,” it said.

Maldives Supreme Court early Sunday blocked a second round run off and postponed the revote to Nov 16 after the first round of polling passed off smoothly.

Former president Mohammad Nasheed emerged as the winner of Saturday’s polls bagging 46 percent of the vote while second placed presidential candidate Abdulla Yameen managed 30 percent.

The election is being viewed as an important step in the democratic transition of the Indian Ocean group of islands.

The Maldives underwent a political change, which was triggered when Nasheed was controversially ousted from power in 2012 in what he alleges was a coup.