EU EFM concludes visit to Maldives, says not in a position to meet President, CJ
Says they were not in a position to meet President, Chief Justice
EU Election Follow-up Mission meeting Attorney General
European Union (EU) Election Follow-up Mission (EFM) has concluded their short visit to the Maldives.
The Mission was in the Maldives from the 8th to the 11th of this month, with the Mission holding meetings with representatives of the authorities, political parties, media and civil society. The Mission said they were not in a position to meet with the President of the Republic and the Chief Justice. The EFM also met representatives of the international community, adding that they will publish its report in the coming weeks.
The EFM was led by Eduard Kukan, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Slovakia and Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the 2014 parliamentary elections in the Maldives. The EFM was tasked to assess the implementation of the 22 EOM recommendations, within the context of the current political developments and the next electoral cycle.
‘The EU stands by the Maldives in strengthening democratic principles’ said Mr Kukan. ‘Since 2009 we have accompanied elections in the Maldives. Now is the time for opposition and government to rebuild trust ahead of the coming elections’ he emphasized.
The EU Mission came to the Maldives at a time when the Attorney General had announced changes to the Maldives' laws on Presidential and General elections, as well as laws on elections.
