Head of delegation of European Union (EU) to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Ambassador Bernard Savage has said that even though the Commission of National Inquiry (CoNI) is now in the midst of controversy, it had earlier been backed by all political parties in the Maldives.
"When the Commission of National Inquiry was formed all the political parties in the Maldives welcomed it although now there is some controversy over it," said Savage, in an interview given to a Chinese newspaper Xinhua last Friday. Reiterating EU’s call for a free and fair election in the Maldives this year, he said that this expectation has been conveyed by top EU officials.
Elections Commission President Fuad Thaufeeq has said that presidential elections has been scheduled for the 7th of August this year. In an interview given to Sun today, President of the Elections Commission (EC) Fuad Thaufeeq said that the commission has decided to hold the first round of the presidential election on the 7th of September 2013 and that, if the consequent need arises, the second round of polling will take place on the 28th of September 2013. He said that even though a date has been determined by the commission, a formal announcement will be made 120 days prior to the election date, as specified by the constitution.