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Baird Disappointed with Maldives’ Annulment of Election Results

October 9, 2013 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

“Canada is incredibly disappointed, however not surprised, by the decision of the Maldives’ Supreme Court to annul the results of the first round of the presidential elections.

“International election observers, including from the Commonwealth, agreed that the September 7, 2013, election was free and fair. This delay is completely unacceptable, and flies in the face of the democratic values of the Commonwealth.

“The people of the Maldives deserve to have their voices heard, and they demonstrated this clearly on September 7, only to have their voices dismissed by mysterious means.

“On the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 26, 2013, I again relayed to my Commonwealth partners the urgent need to address the issue of democracy in the Maldives. In front of my ministerial colleagues, I directly told the acting foreign minister of the Maldives that the latest delays were unacceptable and directly contradicted the values for which the Commonwealth is supposed to stand. I also told the acting minister that Canada has spoken out for the last 19 months on this issue, and will continue to speak out in favour of democracy and human rights until the will of the Maldivian people has been recognized through a free and fair vote.

“Fresh elections must be organized without delay and the Elections Commission must be permitted to complete its constitutional mandate of managing and conducting these elections without interference.  Anything less should be met with harsh criticism, and a firm reaction from Commonwealth nations.

“Canada has said clearly that this current instability will only fuel continued unrest and violence. We condemn these acts of violence, and we call on all parties in the Maldives to remain calm and permit the Maldivian people to exercise their democratic will.”

For past statements on the Maldives, please see:

See also:

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