HC Dauris calls for free and fair campaigning "for all parties" in council elections
Dauris arrived in Maldives on Sunday, and met with officials from both, the government and opposition
HC James Dauris with FM Asim and FCO Head of Asia depatment, Laura Clarke
British High Commissioner to the Maldives, James Dauris arrived in the Maldives on Sunday night, on a one-day official visit.
Before departing the Maldives on Monday, the High Commissioner tweeted that he had "heard from many people in the Maldives" that the Local Council Elections must be held on April 15," adding that it is "important" that campaigning is free and fair, "for all parties."
His comments are directed towards the fact that the council elections have now been postponed, twice. It was initially scheduled for January 14, but was postponed by two months, under a Civil Court order. The case was filed at court by President Abdulla Yameen's faction of the divided ruling party, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), saying it was unable to prepare on time due to internal conflicts.
During the short visit, HC Dauris also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim and Minister of Defense, Adam Shareef Umar.
While much details of the meetings have not been revealed, Dauris had tweeted photos with both minister, adding that he had "useful discussions" with the two Ministers, as well as shared their differences of concern.
Laura Clarke, Head of South Asia Department of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), took part in the meetings as well.
The British High Commissioner, along with Clarke, also met with senior officials of the Maldives United Opposition (MUO).
Neither parties revealed details on the discussions held.
Dauris and ex-President Nasheed
HC Dauris met with ex-President Nasheed on January 31, in Sri Lanka. Photo: Twitter
The High Commissioner recently met with former President Mohamed Nasheed, who was in Sri Lanka, until Monday.
The exiled former president arrived in Sri Lanka on January 29, from the United Kingdom, who has granted him political asylum. Nasheed was sentenced to 13-years in jail in March 2015, but has been in the United Kingdom since January 2016, after getting a medical leave to travel there.
The meeting between Nasheed and Dauris took place on January 31, with the HC tweeting that, at the meeting, Nasheed told him “why it is important for Maldives that the local elections in April are fair for all parties’ candidates.”
READ MORE: Ex-President and British HC discuss upcoming Local Council Elections
In addition to Dauris, Nasheed also met with US Ambassador Atul Keshap, Australia's High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson, Canada's High Commissioner Shelley Whiting, and the Ambassador of Germany, Jörn Rhode, during his visit to Lanka. He also called on President Maithripala Sirisena and Vice President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka,
