India calls to hold early polls as soon as the situation calms down

Friday, February 17th, 2012

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India has called on the government to hold early presidential election with the agreement of the political parties as soon as the current situation of Maldives calms down.
Speaking to the press, the visiting foreign secretary of India, Ranjan Mathai said that he has met President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik and met the leaders of all the main political parties, including ex-President Nasheed, Abdullah Yameen of the PPM and Thasmeen Ali of DRP. He also met the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Speaker of the People’s Majlis.
The Indian foreign secretary said that there is need for a Maldivian government led process for reconciliation and resolving political differences through constitutional means. He said that early election should be held as early as considered feasible by all parties.
Mr. Ranjan said that government of national unity agreed that they will work towards the conditions that will permit such elections to take place including necessary constitutional amendments.
“There was a degree of convergence on how matters should be taken forward. The parties also agree to the need for maintenance of constitutional order. The president has come out with a roadmap for an inclusive political process which provides a very good basis for the parties to resolve their differences,” he noted.