Former president Muhammad Nasheed have stated that India should ensure that the Presidential elections in Maldives is free. Indian news outlets reports that he made these statements during his recent visit to Sri Lanka.
The relations between Maldives and India is special. Everyone believes that India should monitor the relations elections in Maldives since they are our brotherly country.
However that does not mean that India should force the government to break Maldivian laws. No one believes that India will do such a thing. India is proving that India is the closest ally and that they will not interfere with internal matters of Maldives. India provides a lot of assistance to Maldives in several ways. Recently Indian reserve bank provided guarantee for 100 million dollars to MMA as a short term fascilty. All these things prove that India is the closest ally to Maldives.
If what Nasheed is saying means that India should intervene in Maldivian elections to allow Nasheed to contest, then his view is wrong. He can contest in Maldivian elections based on Maldivian laws. Maldivian laws are passed by the Maldivian constitution. These laws will be implemented by the authorities given that responsibility by the constitution.
Fisheries Minister Dr.Muhammad Shainee the government's representative in all party talks invited MDP to talk with the government if they want to see Nasheed's name on the ballot paper.
Dr.Shainee said that if Nasheed is to be pardoned without amending the constitution then all convicts in the prison should be freed. He said that if Nasheed wants to run in the elections then the constitution should be amended first. He said that PPM alone cannot do it and it can be achieved with all parties in the parliament.
Based on what Nasheed said before it is evident that he intends to get foreign backing so that he will be allowed to contest. However the government stated that they will not allow any foreign government or organization to interfere with internal matters of the country.