Democratic Process and Rule of Law Must Be Respected in Maldives

The first round of voting failed to produce an outright winner.@ REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

IPU is urgently calling on all parties in a politically highly-polarized Maldives to respect the rule of law and the democratic process to ensure the second round of the presidential elections on 28th September goes ahead in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

Deploring the violence and intimidation which again has led to attacks on parliamentarians and disrupted an extraordinary session of parliament on Monday 23rd September, IPU President Abdelwahad Radi is urging Maldives to renew a commitment to democracy.

“As an IPU Member, Maldives has to comply with the basic precepts of democracy. This includes allowing Parliament, representing all sections of society, to carry out its mandate entrusted it by the people to find national solutions through dialogue and for MPs to refrain from any acts that would bring parliament into disrepute,” IPU President Abdelwahad Radi stated. 

Reiterating a presidential statement he made to the IPU Membership in March this year, the IPU President renewed calls for the executive, legislative and judicial branches of State to respect their individual constitutional prerogatives and function independently of each other.

“All nations have their share of political conflict. What separates the successful democracies from the less successful ones is their ability to manage such conflict within the confines of the rule of law,” the President added.  

IPU will continue to monitor the situation in the Maldives and will formally review it at its upcoming Assembly in Geneva between 7-9 October.