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• Maldives multi-party elections are important element in democratisation and reform – Commonwealth Observers

Maldives multi-party elections are important element in democratisation and reform – Commonwealth Observers

10 October 2008

As no candidate secured a majority of valid votes cast in the first round of the election, a second round to be held

A Commonwealth Observer Group constituted by Commonwealth Secretary-General Mr Kamalesh Sharma observed the first round of the elections on 8 October 2008.

“The Group found that many aspects of the election have been reasonably credible, largely due to a high level of inclusiveness, transparency, participation and the competitive nature of the poll. The Group was pleased to note that many recommendations made by Commonwealth and other Observer missions for previous elections, and the referendum, had been implemented, and that this contributed to a general improvement in the electoral process. The Group also found, however, that problems emanating from the compressed timelines and voter registration process did compromise some aspects of the election,” Observer Group chairman Owen Arthur, former Prime Minister of Barbados, said in an interim statement.

For a full text of the statement, click here.