The United States has urged all three branches of the government to respect the spirit of the Constitution.
In a statement issued today regarding the Supreme Court ruling delaying the second round of the presidential election to Saturday, 16 November, the US Embassy for Sri Lanka and the Maldives also called to halt the constant reinterpretation of the law.
“We are deeply concerned about the Supreme Court’s ruling today against the holding of the scheduled second-round election on 10 November. Because of the Supreme Court's intervention, the Maldivian presidential elections will not be completed before the current presidential mandate expires at midnight on November 10, 2013.
“In situations of uncertainty, the people must have confidence in their Constitution and look to it for guidance. We urge all three branches of the government and the political parties to respect the letter and the spirit of the Constitution and halt the constant reinterpretation of the legalities involved.”
The US said that the efforts by the Supreme Court to repeatedly and unduly interfere in the electoral process subverts Maldives' democracy and takes decision-making out of the hands of the people.
“It is imperative that Maldives proceed to a runoff election with no further interference so that the democratic process can complete the transition to new leadership.”
The UK and the Commonwealth have also raised concerns following the delay of the second round of the presidential election in the Maldives.
The Supreme Court ordered the Elections Commission early morning today, to conduct the second round of the presidential election on Saturday, 16 November 2013.