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Commonwealth observers deploy across Maldives

6 October 2008

Members of the Commonwealth Observer Group today (6 Oct) deployed to Atolls across the Maldives

The Rt Hon Owen Arthur, former Prime Minister of Barbados and Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group, said, “The Commonwealth team will cover at least 9 Atolls over the election period. Teams will observe in Malé, Seenu, Gnaviyani, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gaafu Alifu, Raa, Baa, Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaal.”

Mr Arthur explained that as part of their observation duties in the field, Commonwealth Observers will meet with election and local officials, representatives of candidates and parties, as well as civil society groups. They will observe the voting and counting, and will also check on the transmission of results from the polling stations to Malé.

“Observers will follow the process closely, including at the Counting Centre in Malé,” Mr Arthur added. “It is important that the transparency provided for in the law for the counting and announcement of results is fully respected. This will help build confidence in the process.”

The 8-member Group has been in the Maldives since 1 October. In the past week, the Group has held meetings with the Election Commission; political parties and candidate representatives; the Minister for Legal Reform, Information and the Arts; civil society groups; media; and representatives of the international community.

The mandate of the Commonwealth Observer Group is to consider the various factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process as a whole. The Group will determine in its own judgement whether the election has been conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which the Maldives has committed itself, in adhering to national election-related legislation and relevant regional, Commonwealth and other international commitments.

The Group will act impartially and independently, and shall conduct itself according to the standards expressed in the International Declaration of Principles for Election Observation, to which the Commonwealth is a signatory.

Following the election the Group will issue an Interim Statement. Should there be a need for a second round the Commonwealth will retain an observation presence. Upon completion of its duties, the Group will submit a final report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, who will in turn send it to the Government of Maldives, the Electoral Commission, candidates and political parties, and other Commonwealth Governments. It will thereafter be posted on the Secretariat’s website at www.thecommonwealth.org.

For Media enquiries:

Geraldine Goh, Communications Adviser
Tel: +960-789-9880 (Maldives) or +44-7894-593-518 (UK)
E-mail: g.goh@commonwealth.int