Want transparent, fair, free elections in Maldives: India

New Delhi: On the eve of fresh Presidential polls in Maldives, India today said it wants to see transparent, free and fair elections that will bring a stable government in that country by the scheduled date of November 11. [caption id=“attachment_1180683” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Maldives president Mohamad Waheed. AFP image[/caption] Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, who had visited Maldives yesterday and met leaders of various political parties, said the people of the islands nation have high expectations in democracy which was revealed by the high turnout of 88 per cent in the first round of polling last month. “My visit was in the context of close relations between India and Maldives,” she told reporters here while answering questions about her trip when she had met leaders like President Mohamad Waheed and his predecessor Mohamed Nasheed. She said she met various interlocutors and all of them favoured a democratic exercise which is fair and free to bring a stable government. “India’s interest is in a stable, peaceful and progressive Maldives. To this end, we want transparent and free and fair democratic polls that will bring a stable government,” she said. “Our hope is that there will be inauguration of the new President on November 11 as provided by the Constitution,” she said. Her comments assume significance as India is keen to avert a repeat of the situation of last month when the elections were annulled by the Supreme Court and fresh polls ordered. In that balloting, Nasheed had got 45.45 per cent votes. However, a candidate needs to cross the 50 per cent mark for the poll process to be complete. If this does not happen, the country will see a run-off between the two leading contenders and the process has to be completed by November 11. PTI