Commonwealth Finds Transparency, But Slates “Unrealistic Deadlines” For Election in the Maldives

The first round of the country’s first ever multi-party election was conducted in a “highly transparent” manner, finds a Commonwealth observation team, in the Maldives throughout the polls.

Yet in a recognition of chaos that surrounded many polling stations due to voter list issues, the Commonwealth’s interim statement finds “the requirement to meet unrealistic deadlines took precedence over good electoral practice.”

The report, released by the eight-person mission on 10 October following the 8 October polls, notes both significant positives and negatives ahead of a second round, currently due on 29 October after no candidate secured over 50 per cent initially.