A key presidential revote in the Maldives was blocked at the last minute by police on Saturday, plunging the country into fresh political turmoil and sparking protests by supporters of ousted President Mohamed Nasheed.
Minutes before voting was to start on Saturday morning, the Elections Commission (EC) issued a statement saying police had blocked its officials from onducting the revote. Police spokesman Abdulla Nawaz said polling was stopped because the EC did not comply with a court order to have the voters’ rolls endorsed by all the presidential candidates. He said police acted after consulting President Mohammed Waheed, the security council and the Home Ministry.
However, EC head Fuwad Thowfeek accused police of exceeding their powers and undermining the poll panel’s independence. “I believe that they crossed the line. They believe that they can boss us around...That is a clear violation of their mandate,” he said.
“Whether or not polls is held or not is now at the hands of the police,” Thowfeek said. He said the police’s role was limited to ensuring the safety of ballot papers during printing and transportation. After police entered EC offices and stopped officials from distributing poll materials, Thowfeek said in a televised speech that it was “a dark day for democracy”.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) of former President Nasheed, which led in the first round of balloting on September 7, called for international intervention to end the impasse even as its supporters began protests at several places in Male.
“There is no other way but international intervention. We are waiting for the international community to realise to get into action, otherwise we are another Burma,” said MDP spokesman Abdul Gafur. “President Nasheed was saved by the skin of his teeth as he ran into Indian High Commission...It is a cat and mouse game,” he said.
Maldives Prez calls for fresh poll by Oct 26
Male: Outgoing President Mohammed Waheed on Saturday asked the Maldives’ Elections Commission to find a way to hold a “free, fair, and inclusive” presidential poll as early as possible, preferably on October 26. Waheed met EC members on Saturday to discuss the future course of action after a presidential revote was blocked by police, a statement issued by his office said.