India says Maldives SC decision may impact peace and stability

India today said the Maldivian Supreme Court's decision to indefinitely postpone the second phase of presidential election has resulted in "uncertainty" which may impact its peace and stability and asked all concerned to address the current situation at the earliest.
"We have seen recent reports that the Supreme Court of Maldives has postponed the second round of Presidential elections scheduled to be held on 28 September 2013. This development has resulted in uncertainty concerning the second round, which may have an impact on peace, stability and security in the country," a spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs said.
India wants that the electoral process is resumed in a manner that respects the will of the Maldivian people and the candidate elected by the people of Maldives assumes the Presidency on 11th November 2013 as mandated by the Constitution, he said and emphasised that the next round of vote should be held as scheduled.

"We, therefore, call upon all concerned in the Maldives to address the current situation at the earliest so that the electoral process could be resumed in a manner that respects the will of the Maldivian people.
"In this context, it is important that the second round of the Presidential elections is held as scheduled and the candidate elected by the people of Maldives assumes the Presidency on 11th November 2013 as mandated by the Constitution," the spokesperson said.
He was responding to queries on recent developments in Maldives.

"It would be recalled that India has consistently conveyed its support for the democratic process in Maldives. It was in this regard that India had called for free, fair and credible Presidential elections in meeting the aspirations of the people of Maldives," the spokesperson said.

The first round of Presidential elections was held on 7 September 2013 which domestic and international observers, including those from India had acknowledged was transparent, organised and peaceful.
The Maldives Supreme Court deferred the second round indefinitely yesterday on the plea of Jumhooree Party (JP) which stood third and missed the chance of a run-off with former president Mohammed Nasheed in the second round by a whisker.
The orders came within hours of Majlis, Maldives' Parliament, passing a resolution in which it called upon all the state institutions to ensure that the second round takes place, as scheduled, on September 28.