Tag: maldives election

President declares he will remain in power until November 16

President Mohamed Waheed has declared he will stay in power beyond the conclusion of his presidential term, but said he will resign on the day of the run-off, scheduled November 16.

Waheed was due to address the nation at 10:30pm – an hour and a half prior to the expiry of his term – however the announcement was delayed by 45 minutes. His Vice President Waheed Deen resigned this morning.

Minivan News observed large numbers of riot police assembling in Republic Square, prior to Waheed’s announcement tonight. Protests immediately erupted in Male as Special Operations Police clashed with demonstrators near Sosun Magu, with at least 600 people at time of press throwing rocks at riot police.

Waheed, who received just 5.13 percent in the annulled first round vote on September 7, had previously declared that he had no intention of remaining in power “even a day after November 11”.

“To the best of my ability, I attempted to hold a peaceful election in which all candidates and the citizenry’s rights are protected. This is because an election that is inclusive and acceptable to everyone is in the highest interest of this country,” Waheed said on Sunday night.

“The current presidential term will end at midnight tonight. Since the constitution does not state what must happen in this situation and since there is a fear of a constitutional void, and since this can be solved through a constitutional amendment, I asked the People’s Majlis to solve this issue. However, the best solution was not found and since the constitution does not state what must happen, the Supreme Court has decided the government will continue instead of going into a constitutional void. And they have ruled there is no other constitutional norm,” he declared.

“Today, as the head of state, my responsibility is to protect the country’s highest interests. Many Maldivians, international organisations and countries are pressuring me to resign and temporarily hand over the government to the People’s Majlis Speaker. On the other hand, even more citizens want me to stay on, to continue with administration of the country, to carry out my duty,” Waheed claimed.

“None of these decisions will be easy for me or the country. No matter what I do, the days to come will not be easy. Hence, upon discussions with many parties, and since I have worked in the past 21 months to hold a peaceful and smooth election, and since the Elections Commission has decided to hold the election on the 16th of this month, I will continue with the duties of the president until the end of the 16th day of this month.

“But I also inform you I will resign my post at the end of the 16th day. I have decided so after many relevant authorities gave me the certainty the election will be held on he 16th. I assure you, my citizens, that you are the closest to my heart and most loved people,” he said.

Images on social media appeared to show Waheed departing Male on a speedboat, flanked by security.

Speaker of parliament Abdulla Shahid tweeted following Waheed’s announcement: “A government is not legitimate unless it is carried on with the consent of the governed. As of 11 November 2013, we have no legitimate government.”

Senior and mid-ranking Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) officers as recently as yesterday were appealing to their colleagues not to recognise the authority of the President and his cabinet after midnight November 10. Former head of military intelligence Brigadier General Ahmed Nilam was meanwhile summoned to police headquarters prior to Waheed’s announcement.

The Supreme Court on November 9 upheld its earlier ruling on October 7 stating that Waheed could remain in power past the conclusion of his term on November 11, dismissing a parliament resolution passed last week demanding the installment of the speaker after the expiry of the term.

Yameen refused to sign the voter lists needed under Supreme Court guidelines to hold today’s election, declaring that he would only be ready for a vote after November 13.

“I am certain that President Waheed will stay with the Maldivian people at this most difficult time we are facing. I have no doubt about that,” Yameen said following the revote on November 9.

His demand was followed by a stamped but unsigned ruling issued at 5:30am on Sunday morning by the Supreme Court two hours before polls were due to open, which declared that the run-off vote should be held on November 16 despite the Elections Commission and all candidates previously agreeing that it should be held on November 10.

Waheed’s decision to remain in power follows stern statements from the UN, Commonwealth and US expressing “deep concern” at the Supreme Court’s repeated interference in the election, and implied the need for an interim government following the conclusion of the presidential term.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Sir Don McKinnon highlighted Article 124 of the constitution concerning the transfer of power to the Speaker of Parliament should a President resign or be otherwise incapacitated.

“In the absence of a political agreement, the people must look to their Constitution for guidance and have confidence in their Constitution. Article 124 makes clear the spirit and intent of the Constitution for situations such as the one the country is currently facing,” McKinnon stated.

“Article 124 reflects the basic democratic principle that the state’s power must always lie with the people and their elected representatives. This is the fundamental underpinning of the Constitution. Elected representatives speak for the people. I therefore believe that Article 124 offers the most appropriate guidance to avoid constitutional uncertainty and sustain the support of the people,” McKinnon said.

The US Embassy in Colombo stated that “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.”

Yameen is due to face Nasheed in the run-off now scheduled for Saturday November 16. Third-placed candidate Gasim Ibrahim declared he would not be supporting either candidate in the run-off, although his coalition partner the Adhaalath Party declared its support for Yameen.

Nasheed said on Sunday that if President Waheed continued in government he did not believe the president “or people aligned with him would want an election in the country. I think it is very clear that elections would go our way. If they do not intend to transfer power legally, then we do not see how they would want to have an election. So we don’t think there could be a conducive environment for elections. The Supreme Court will come out with another ruling upon the military or upon the police to definitely obstruct the elections. Come 1the 6th of November, we will be back to square one,” Nasheed said.

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Vice President resigns as threat of constitutional crisis looms

Vice President Waheed Deen has resigned from the government, stepping down from the post he assumed shortly after February 7 2012’s controversial transfer of power.

His resignation comes on final day of President Mohamed Waheed’s term, and has prompted speculation that President Mohamed Waheed may similarly step down.

While the Supreme Court yesterday dismissed a parliamentary resolution that would have installed the Speaker of Parliament and reiterated that President Waheed’s government would continue after November 11, Waheed himself has previously indicated his reluctance to remain in the post “even a day after November 11”.

Senior and mid-ranking Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) officers as recently as yesterday were appealing to their colleagues not to recognise the authority of the President and his cabinet after midnight November 10.

Should Waheed step down leaving both offices vacant, Article 124(b) of the Constitution would automatically pass power to the Speaker.

124 (b)In the event of the permanent incapacity, resignation, removal or death of both the President or the Vice President, and both offices becoming vacant at the same time, leading to an incapacity to carry out the duties of the President, until such time as a President and a Vice President shall be elected, the duties of both offices shall temporarily be carried out, in order of priority, by the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, or by the Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis, or by a member of the People’s Majlis elected by a resolution of the People’s Majlis, until successors in office are chosen.

The prospect of impending constitutional limbo was triggered following yesterday’s election, after second-placed candidate Abdulla Yameen refused to sign the voter lists ahead of the run-off vote scheduled for today, and insisted that the election be held after November 13.

In a stamped but unsigned ruling issued at 5:30am this morning the Supreme Court declared that the revote should be held on November 16, despite the Elections Commission and all candidates previously agreeing that it should be held today.

Elections Commission (EC) Director General Mohamed Shakeel told Minivan News this morning that the ruling meant no polling stations were allowed to open, no materials could be transported, or any other preparations to be made.

“It states that all institutions in the Maldives are ordered not to provide assistance to the Elections Commission,” he continued. “So then the police won’t help.”

The EC said the delay would cost the state a further MVR 30 million (US$2 million).

The US Embassy in Colombo meanwhile issued a new statement this afternoon slamming the behaviour of the Supreme Court.

“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 US embassy said in a statement.

“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 statement said.

“The November 9 election has shown the commitment of the citizens of Maldives to the democratic process and the ability of the Election Commission to efficiently hold free, fair and credible elections that reflect the will of the people.”

Commonwealth Special Envoy Sir Don McKinnon has also issued a damning statement on the conduct of the Supreme Court, and called for consideration of Article 124 – tacitly backing an interim government under the Speaker.

“In the absence of a political agreement, the people must look to their Constitution for guidance and have confidence in their Constitution. Article 124 makes clear the spirit and intent of the Constitution for situations such as the one the country is currently facing,” McKinnon stated.

“Article 124 reflects the basic democratic principle that the state’s power must always lie with the people and their elected representatives. This is the fundamental underpinning of the Constitution. Elected representatives speak for the people. I therefore believe that Article 124 offers the most appropriate guidance to avoid constitutional uncertainty and sustain the support of the people,” McKinnon said.

“As in most countries, an interim government would not be expected in any interim period, such as from 11 November to the swearing in of a new elected President, to take any significant decision or new policy initiative,” he added.

No role for international community: Yameen

Yameen lashed out at international pressure for elections during a press conference last night.

“There is no role for the international community in holding an election in any country, is there? An election is a domestic matter, isn’t it? What international organisations, ambassadors or foreign governments can do is appeal. But they will appeal to hold the election as soon as possible in accordance with Maldivian law, and we want to hold the election in accordance with the law as well,” Yameen said.

He accused the Elections Commission of not being properly prepared.

“At least 12 hours should be given to campaign for the election, shouldn’t it? The law provides time more generously than that. So for these reasons I said on behalf of PPM that I support holding the second round on November 11.”

“The international community would want to expedite the election. That is because there should be a President as early as possible at the start of a new constitutional term. Having an elected president on November 11 is what we Maldivians want as well, not just foreign parties. They will press for that but there is no role for international parties in elections,” he insisted.

The PPM candidate – half brother of former autocratic President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who ruled the Maldives for 30 years – claimed a constitutional amendment would be required for the Speaker to assume the presidency in the absence of a president-elect at the end of the presidential term.

“So even if it has been passed by Majlis, we don’t believe either then or now that it has any legal weight,” he said.

He said the Supreme Court has provided legitimacy for President Waheed to remain in office after the conclusion of his term, declaring that Waheed was willing to stay “to the extent that the public wants,” something which was noted “very clearly” at the meeting last week.

“Now the Supreme Court verdict has come the way President Waheed hoped for or wanted. So I am certain that President Waheed will stay with the Maldivian people at this most difficult time we are facing. I have no doubt about that,” Yameen said.

Deen’s phone was switched off at time of press.

Meanwhile third-placed candidate Gasim Ibrahim’s running mate, Hassan Saeed, a former Special Advisor to President Waheed, announced his retirement from politics to local media.

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Comment: A method in madness

One of the most painful, overused cliches of modern times is the saying that insanity is the act of repeating the same action over and over again and expecting different results.

The Maldives, then, can be considered to be suffering from a bizarre national lunacy.

On elections day a little over two months ago, some of us thought we’d finally return to stability. We then also kept our fingers crossed two weeks later – in vain, as it turned out. On October 19, optimistic souls believed Maldivian voters would be a third time lucky. And yesterday, some hoped we would be a fourth time lucky.

And now, some are praying we’ll be a fifth time lucky sometime in the indeterminate future. But as this writer comfortably predicted months ago, there remains a zero percent chance of any free, fair or credible electoral decisions being upheld under the present Maldivian regime.

Foolish assumptions

There is a method in this mad optimism, and it is based on a number of foolish assumptions – the very first being that elections will somehow defuse the two year long crisis.

On the surface of it, it seems rather logical that an election would lead to stability. But perhaps we forget too easily that we did have an election on 7th September 2013.

The elections were scheduled well ahead. The parties campaigned. The observers arrived. Citizens registered to vote.

The elections were even widely praised by experts and international observers as being free and fair. 88 percent of the people voted. The democratic candidate won with a handsome margin.

Except, the Gayoom-controlled judiciary then threw the results right into the trash can on what can only be described as exceedingly tenuous grounds. The third placed candidate Gasim Ibrahim alleged widespread fraud, and the court happily agreed – while doing away with the need to accommodate such inconveniences as any actual admissible evidence. Instead, the judgment was based on a “police report” so confidential that not even the defendants or their lawyers were allowed to have a peek at it. (Our Supreme Court, ladies and gentlemen!)

The elections were annulled. The international community expressed concern. Millions in public funds were wasted.

Having apparently decided to completely ignore the existence of a constitution, the Court then went on to issue a 16 point “guidelines” to the Elections Commission, including a provision requiring the candidates to sign the voters registry before voting could commence – essentially granting a veto to the candidates, who could now permanently hold the country and the electorate to ransom.

A runoff election was scheduled for September 28. The parties campaigned. The observers arrived. Citizens registered to vote.

But any hopes of an election were quickly dashed when the powerful Gayoom controlled militia – unwittingly referred to by the poorly informed as the “Maldives Police Service” – kidnapped the Elections Commissioner and laid siege to the commission. The elections were stalled.

The international community expressed concern. Millions in public funds were wasted.

Amid much drama, yet another runoff election was scheduled for October 19. The parties campaigned. The observers arrived. Citizens registered to vote.

But then, mere hours before voting was scheduled to commence that morning, the Gayoom militia intervened yet again and laid siege to the EC. The election was stalled yet again.

The international community expressed concern. Millions in public funds were wasted.

Then as recently as this week – when the international community threatened and arm-twisted the PPM and JP candidates into signing the voter’s registry at the last minute – another election was scheduled for November 9th.

The parties campaigned. The observers arrived. Citizens registered to vote.

An election was even allowed to take place this time, and declared to be free and fair. 86 percent of the people voted. The democratic candidate won handsomely again.

A runoff was scheduled for today.

You would never guess what happened next.

Mere minutes after the interim results were announced, PPM candidate Abdulla Yameen announced in a press conference that he would not sign the voters registry, thus preventing the run off elections from taking place.

The elections are likely to be stalled. Millions in public funds have again been wasted.

Curiously, it appears the parties will campaign again. The observers will return. Depending on when Abdulla Yameen decides to be benevolent, citizens may yet again need to register to vote.

Even more curiously, it appears many citizens remain inexplicably confident of somehow arriving at a different outcome.

The EC has said it will cost about MVR 25 million in public funds for each bout of this insanity.

The myth of a democratic election

Democratic elections are held between democratic parties i.e., between registered groups that aim to win over people to some vague political philosophy. The elections in Maldives are a different beast altogether.

If it wasn’t already painfully clear to even passive observers of Maldivian politics, the battle in the Maldives is between democratic and anti-democratic forces; between one group that seeks a public mandate, and another that seeks to permanently disenfranchise citizens and has publicly called for military rule. Between one group that wins elections and another that has no use for them, thanks to its control of the judiciary and a state funded militia.

On one side is the only democratically elected President in the history of the Maldives and who now has two further unfulfilled electoral victories to his credit since then.

On the other hand is a motley coalition of a former dictator, his cheerless half brother who is noted in leaked US State Department cables as being notoriously anti-reformist, a network of their fat-cat cronies, and to complete the picture, the far right religious extremists.

Gayoom’s party is not an agent of democracy, nor are its allies. If anything, the PPM is a panic-stricken response to democracy and to democratic reforms that threaten to shake the Gayoom network’s foundations. And that hostility towards a democratic exercise is exactly what has been on shameful public display in the last few weeks and months.

There are no difficult questions here. No moral ambiguity. Surely, to use the words of the great English rockers Pink Floyd, the international community can tell a green field from a cold steel rail.

The international community

In a moment of surprising candour, PPM candidate Abdulla Yameen admitted that he was forced to sign the voters registry against his wishes by the international community. The implication was that he wouldn’t have proceeded with yesterday’s elections – which he wasn’t ever likely to win – had he not been arm twisted into doing so.

The constitutional deadline of November 11 looms large, and the country will fall into a legal void with no political or legal consensus on what happens next. As such, it will fall upon Gayoom’s uniformed militia – ostensibly also the country’s security services – to decide the course of events.

Gayoom’s militia, of course, is likely to use the excuse of the Supreme court ruling to continue to prop up Waheed – perhaps the first incumbent ruler in history to win a mere five percent of the votes in a public election.

This miscarriage of justice only promises further chaos and – one cannot stress this enough – it is absolutely absurd to expect any different outcome.

The Maldivian citizens have protested, and petitioned and voted multiple times – all to no avail.

Perhaps, then, one way to force a different outcome is to force a different reaction from the international community.

In the last two years since the elected government was overthrown, the international community has made endless, meaningless public statements of “concern”; statements that have done precious little to impede the repeated, systematic abuse of human rights and mockery of justice in the Maldives.

In the meantime, police brutality has been richly rewarded with promotions, perks, housing and medals. A runaway judiciary is trampling all over the constitution like a crazed pachyderm. What little accountability had existed before has long since vaporised. The Maldives’ press freedom rankings have fallen like a brick and returned to pre-democracy levels. And that’s before they made the country’s only opposition TV station disappear in a giant ball of fire.

R2P

Perhaps, just perhaps, now would be a good time for the international community to make good on its threats.

The Maldives hasn’t had a legitimate government since February 7 2012. However, after the constitutional deadline of November 11, even the fig leaf of legitimacy granted by the CoNI report and the benefit of doubt granted by international community, purportedly in the interests of stability, will vanish.

Crucial powers such as India, UK, EU, the Commonwealth and the United States, who are in a position to enforce change, must recognise their responsibility to protect the fundamental authority of the citizens of the Maldives over themselves, especially when attempts to exercise a democratic mandate have been repeatedly and so publicly frustrated.

If instead, the international community should choose to acquiesce to this daylight mockery of the public, and recognise the Supreme Court’s blatantly unconstitutional ruling propping up a loser with five percent mandate as the country’s leader, or accommodate the hijacking of the Maldives electoral process, or turn a blind eye to holding to ransom the rights of an entire population, then it very likely that the hopes of democracy will fade from this tiny nation and the Maldives might end up a failed state.

It is trivial to put pressure on the Maldives – a country that depends almost entirely on foreign income and aid to feed and clothe itself. Cut off military and financial aid to the rogue regime until an elected President is sworn in. Halt exports of local fish to European markets. Stop sending tourists to luxury resorts that line the pockets of the Gayoom fat cats. Impose restrictions on foreign travel of regime figures on diplomatic passports. At the very least, stop sending consignments of tear gas, projectiles and weapons that are being used to subjugate an entire population and choke off its citizen’s rights.

The international community could continue to stick to the routine of issuing public statements of concern and privately trying to negotiate backroom deals between the wolves and the sheep on what they’d like to have for supper.

But unless the world powers can be convinced to make much sterner interventions, we are all mad as hatters to expect any change in trajectory in the Maldives.

All comment pieces are the sole view of the author and do not reflect the editorial policy of Minivan News. If you would like to write an opinion piece, please send proposals to [email protected]

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“Unreasonable and unacceptable” to demand changes to agreed election date: Commonwealth Special Envoy

The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Sir Donald McKinnon has declared it is “unreasonable and unacceptable” for parties to continue demanding changes to the agreed election date.

McKinnon’s comments follow Abdulla Yameen’s refusal to sign the voter lists in a bid to delay Sunday’s run-off vote to November 13.

Early results from today’s revote show Yameen receiving a decisive lead over third-placed candidate Gasim Ibrahim, receiving approximate 30 percent of the vote – a five percent improvement on his performance in the Supreme Court’s annulled poll. The result pitches him against former President Mohamed Nasheed, who appears to have increased his 45.45 percent vote to approximately 47 percent.

The Elections Commission and the candidates previously agreed to a run-off on Sunday November 10, with polls due to open in just seven hours from time of press.

However as the final boxes began to be counted, Yameen called a press conference and declared “no, the election is not going to happen tomorrow. The simple reason being that the Elections Commission is not prepared for that. The Elections Commission does not have a list that has been pre-signed by the candidates. What they have is a fresh list. So a fresh list for us to review and sign, for verification we need at least 48 hours. So the list they have we are not sure whether that is the list they had for today’s voting. Until and unless we are able to ascertain that this is the same list, we are unable to sign that.”

Yameen said the election can take place “as soon as we are able to verify the list. We have asked for something like 48 hours, because we are talking in excess of about 240,000 people. So soon as the Elections [Commission] is able to provide us this timeframe we are prepared to go to an election. Hopefully any time within the range of November 13 to 15. Any time after November 13 we are happy.”

He added that he would be sitting down with Gasim and the Adhaalath Party tomorrow to discuss their supporting him against Nasheed, and claimed to have already received their endorsement.

Commonwealth Special Envoy Mckinnon responded: “Voters deserve better from their leaders and a greater degree of predictability over something as serious as a presidential election.”

“It is important now that the electoral process move forward swiftly to its conclusion, with the holding of the second round. Any further delays would create uncertainty for the voters, place extra demands on the Elections Commission and lower people’s confidence in the country’s democratic institutions,” he said.

“All initial reports suggest that this was a good election, and I look forward to hearing the more definitive reports of domestic and international observers shortly. The Elections Commission should be commended for its consistency in delivering another well-managed and credible election,” he added.

Speaking at a press conference earlier today, Elections Commission President Fuwad Thowfeek said representatives from the PPM arrived to sign the new voter lists in the early hours of Saturday morning but left at 7:30am and did not return.

While the PPM initially wanted to sign all the lists, Fuwad said they later sent a letter saying they wanted to sign only the changed lists.

Voter lists to be used for the second round scheduled for tomorrow changed after re-registration of about 1,500 voters for the second round, who would be distributed among different polling stations.

“It looks as if they are not so keen on fulfilling their duties and responsibilities. Signing these lists is a duty given to candidates and their representatives by the Supreme Court,” he said.

Supreme Court in another midnight sitting

Meanwhile, shortly before midnight, the Supreme Court began hearing a case submitted by Gasim’s Jumhoree Party demanding that the run-off election be cancelled and rescheduled. However any delay would push the country past the expiry of the presidential term on November 11, a scenario that today drew rumblings of discontent from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

While the Supreme Court today in a separate ruling upheld its previous insistence that Waheed would stay on after November 11, Waheed himself has declared he has no wish to do so.

MDP candidate Mohamed Nasheed meanwhile congratulated the PPM on its performance in Saturday’s poll, and said his party was ready to face polls on Sunday.

“My view is that if we don’t have elections [on Sunday]there is a serious risk of indefinite delay as now President Waheed is being asked to stay on by the Supreme Court. Our opponents know that they will lose in a fair fight,” he told Minivan News.

“In my view if the international community says that they will not recognise Waheed after November 11 then we will have elections. Then again it’s very difficult to see the international community doing the right thing – we are in this mess because they recognised a rebel government in February 2012.”

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Maldives Decides 2013 – The re-vote

The Maldives returned to the polls today, after weeks of delay and brinkmanship following the Supreme Court’s annulment of the initial first round held on September 7.

Today’s vote sees the Maldivian Democratic Party’s former President Mohamed Nasheed facing off against the Progressive Party of Maldives’ Abdulla Yameen, and the Jumhooree Party’s Gasim Ibrahim.

Nasheed had been set to face the Yameen (25.35 percent), half brother of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in a run-off on September 28. However the vote was suspended by the Supreme Court after third-placed candidate, resort tycoon Gasim (24.07 percent), filed a case alleging vote rigging – despite unanimous positive assessments by more than 1000 local and international election observers.

Current President Dr Mohamed Waheed, whose name appeared on the ballot on September 7, has subsequently withdrawn his candidacy after receiving just five percent of the popular vote in the initial polling.

After the court had ordered the first round to be repeated on October 19, the vote was again delayed after both Gasim and Yameen refused to place their signatures – a provision mandated in the Supreme Court ruling – on the revised electoral register.

With the term of the current president due to end on Monday (November 11), a second round run-off – if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote – will take place tomorrow.

This blog is no longer live: Minivan News will continue live updates for tomorrow’s scheduled run-off

OFFICIAL RESULTS:

MDP: 96,764 (46.93%)
PPM: 61,278 (29.72%)
JP: 48,131 (23.34%)

Total votes cast were 208,504 of which 2331 were deemed void, leaving a total of 206,173 valid votes out of 239,105 eligible voters.

3:25am – The US Department of State has released a statement urging the second round to take place immediately:

For democracy in Maldives to move forward, it is essential to build upon the successful November 9th election and immediately proceed with the required and previously agreed upon second round. U.S. and international observers viewed the peaceful and active voter participation as a clear indication of the Maldivians’ desire for a democratic transition. The positive result of November 9 yet again demonstrates the consistency and capacity of the Elections Commission to deliver a quality electoral process.

It is now imperative that the second round take place immediately and in line with Elections Commission directions in order to ensure the Maldivian people are led by an elected president of their choice.

To delay second round voting beyond the constitutional requirements for a new government by November 11 will create uncertainties that may destabilize Maldives.

It is unreasonable and unacceptable for parties to continue to demand changes to an agreed election date. Voters deserve a greater degree of predictability over something as serious as a presidential election. Changing the goalposts is unfair to Maldivian voters; we believe Maldivians deserve better.

2:55am – During a press conference, the Elections Commission said it was working towards holding the second round on November 10 as scheduled, but said a lack of cooperation from one candidate was holding up preparations.

“We are working to hold the second round tomorrow but the times may have to be changed. We want to hold it tomorrow as it was agreed by the three candidates and the president and all the concerned authorities,” said EC President Fuwad Thowfeek.

The PPM had agreed to sign the lists [for the run-off] but had not been heard of since, the EC said.

“We kept saying that November 16 would have been better for the run off, but the president and the candidates asked for the 10th. We agreed on the 10th at a meeting with the president and party representatives,” said Thowfeek.

The EC said doing the election preparations all over again would be costly, “so we are trying to find a way to hold the second round on the 10th.”

Ballot papers had already been printed and sent abroad, while the lists had also been sent overseas with the exception of two polling stations. Lists could be sent up until midday, the EC said.

The EC noted that a case was still going on at the Supreme Court. Asked about the financial losses as a result of a delay, the EC said officials sent abroad would have to return and new lists would have to be prepared. The estimated cost of the delay would be MVR 25 million (US$1.6 million), the EC estimated.

1.49am – Preliminary results on the Elections Commission’s website following the counting of the ballots show:

MDP: 96,747 (46.93%) +1.48% on Sept 7 (+1523 votes)
PPM: 61,295 (29.73%) +4.38% on Sept 7 (+8196 votes)
JP: 48,131 (23.34%) -0.73% on Sept 7 (-2291 votes)

Total votes cast were 208,504 of which 2331 were deemed void, leaving a total of 206,173 valid votes out of 239,105 eligible voters.

This equates to an 86 percent voter turnout – two percent less than the annulled September 7 poll – suggesting that early fears on Saturday about low voter turnout were misplaced and many people instead queued throughout the day rather than lining up to vote early.

The results correlate strongly with those of the annulled September 7 poll, which saw Nasheed receive 45.45 percent of the vote, Yameen 25.35 percent, Gasim 24.07 percent and incumbent President Mohamed Waheed 5.13 percent of the vote.

Waheed later withdrew from the polls, and his coalition partner the Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DRP) defected to Nasheed’s MDP. However it seems that the vast majority of Waheed’s votes transferred to the Yameen’s PPM, taking him up to almost 30 percent in Saturday’s poll.

Minivan News observed that no two local media outlets who did their own counting appeared to have the same figures, or figures matching the EC’s results exactly.

1:30am – The Elections Commission press conference is due to begin shortly.

12:30am – Speaking to Minivan News, Nasheed warned that “if we don’t have elections tomorrow there is a serious risk of indefinite delay as now Waheed is asked to stay on by the Supreme Court. Our opponents know that they will lose in a fair fight.”

“In my view if the international community says that they will not recognise Waheed after November 11 then we will have elections. Then again it’s very difficult to see the international community doing the right thing. We are in this mess because they recognised a rebel government in February 2012,” he said.

12:00pm –

The Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Sir Donald McKinnon, noted this evening that he was pleased that the 9 November Maldives presidential election was able to take place today in a calm and peaceful manner.

“All initial reports suggest that this was a good election, and I look forward to hearing the more definitive reports of domestic and international observers shortly. The Elections Commission should be commended for its consistency in delivering another well-managed and credible election.

“I commend all stakeholders for ensuring that the Maldivian people were able to have their say at the ballot box today in a seemingly free and fair manner.

“It is important now that the electoral process move forward swiftly to its conclusion, with the holding of the second round.

“It is unreasonable and unacceptable for parties to continue to demand changes to an agreed election date. Voters deserve better from their leaders and a greater degree of predictability over something as serious as a presidential election.

“Any further delays would create uncertainty for the voters, place extra demands on the Elections Commission and lower people’s confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.

10:45pm – Yameen has held a press conference and indicated that he would not sign the voter registry for the run-off polls.

Yameen said, “No, election is not going to happen tomorrow. Simple reason being that the Elections Commission is not prepared for that. Elections Commission does not have a list that has been pre-signed by the candidates. What they have is a fresh list. So a fresh list for us to review and sign, for verification we need at least 48 hours. So the list they have we are not sure whether that is the list they had for today’s voting.

“So until and unless we are able to ascertain that this is the same list, we are unable to sign that. So the Elections Commission is not prepared. What they are claiming is that they have the same list but unfortunately if it were the same list our signatures or our representatives’ signatures would have been on the list. But unfortunately these are fresh sheets. So we are not sure whether this is the same list we used for voting today. So primarily it is a shortcoming on the part of the Elections Commission. It’s nothing to do with PPM or any other party.”

Yameen said the election can take place “as soon as we are able to verify the list. We have asked for something like 48 hours, because we are talking in excess of about 240,000 people. So soon as the Elections [Commission] is able to provide us this timeframe we are prepared to go to an election. Hopefully any time within the range of November 13 to 15. Any time after November 13 we are happy.”

The PPM candidate claimed Gasim had expressed his support, along with his coalition partner the Adhaalath Party.

“Tomorrow we will sit down with Gasim. He has expressed support to us. Also the adhaalath party has expressed support, [Yameen’s running mate] Dr Jameel has been in contact with them.

10:21pm – Transparency Maldives will give its assessment of the election at 11pm tonight at a press conference, while the EC is also expected to announce the provisional results.

8:51pm – The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said that the second round of the Presidential elections must be held, as scheduled, tomorrow, Sunday 10 November.

“Our opponents are, once again, trying to subvert democracy by refusing to sign the voter lists for tomorrow’s election,” said MDP Deputy Chairperson Ali Shiyam.

The MDP calls on the international community to do all they can to hold the second round of elections tomorrow to ensure an elected President is sworn in by the constitutional deadline.

“The international community must apply pressure – including targeted, punitive sanctions – on those individuals who seek to undermine Maldivian democracy.

8:02pm – Jumhooree Coalition Presidential Candidate Gasim Ibrahim’s spokesperson Ibrahim Khaleel has accused the Elections Commission (EC) of anti-campaigning against their candidate.

Khaleel is quoted in local media as stating that the EC has today infringed upon the electoral rights of candidates.

Khaleel stated that the EC, in a press conference held Saturday afternoon, had spoken about JP refusing to sign the voters’ list which is to be used in a second round of elections which, if necessary, are to be held on Sunday.

He then alleged that this statement by the EC would lead Gasim to lose support.

EC President Fuwad Thowfeek cited words of JP’s Deputy Leader Ibrahim Didi, who, according to Thowfeek had told him the party “had no objections with proceeding with elections, but [we] refuse to sign the voter lists”, and also had stated he would send in a letter saying the same.

Khaleel, however, denied that this way the party’s stand and claimed instead that it was the Deputy Leader’s personal opinion.

EC Member Ali Mohamed Manik had been asked a similar question at today’s press conference by Gasim-owned VMedia, whether the commission’s intention was to anti-campaign by talking about the matter.

“We will neither campaign nor anti-campaign for anyone. We have no interest whatsoever in electing any particular candidate. I don’t believe that we have infringed any candidates’ rights by truthfully and factually answering media queries about who has so far signed or not signed the register.”

“We have a window of less than 24 hours between the two rounds of voting, and so we must speak of the matter. If this is then interpreted as anti-campaigning, then the only choice left would be to stop providing information to the media completely, and that probably is not an acceptable option.”

7:33pm – Unofficial results from Haveeru, Raajje TV and MvDemocracy show Mohamed Nasheed leading with roughly 46 percent of the vote. Yameen Abdul Gayoom comes second with approximately 30 percent and Gasim Ibrahim is third with approximately 23 percent of the vote.

Unofficial voter turn out was lower than the annulled September 7 elections with all candidates gaining fewer votes today than they did on September 7.

Although Nasheed seems to have gained a percentage point more than he did in the annulled first, he seems to have gained less gross votes than he did in the annulled round. Yameen seems to have maintained a similar number of gross votes, while Gasim Ibrahim seems to have lost the most gross votes.

It appears Nasheed suffered the most due to the lower turn out. Yameen may have maintained his votes if his September 7 voters turned out to vote today, or if he gained votes from those who had previously voted for Gasim or Waheed. Otherwise, the results so far seem to thoroughly vindicated the credibility of the first round on September 7.

7:00pm – Irufushi resort, a resort whose management were alleged to have engaged in a campaign against MDP supporting staff following the results of the September 7 poll, has still seen 48.5 percent of votes received cast in favour of Nasheed according to EC figures.

Irufushi is owned by Ahmed ‘Sun Travel’ Shiyam, the leader of the Maldivian Development Alliance which is allied with the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). PPM candidate Yameen has received 45 percent.

Meanwhile, the ballot box on Sun Island – reported as a resort where the wearing MDP party colours led to a wave of dismissals – has seen a landslide of votes for its owner Gasim Ibrahim, who has received 88 percent of votes cast according to the EC statistics.

6:29pm – According to results from MVDemocracy, Nasheed is leading with 46.58 percent (70,099 votes) while Yameen is placed in second with 29.98 percent (45,117 votes) and Gasim 23.43 percent (25,261 votes). According to the website, 380 ballot boxes have been counted while 95 remain uncounted. A total 150,477 votes have so far been counted.

6:26pm – Haveeru’s figures also appear to show Nasheed having taken the first of the overseas boxes. With 160 of 184 eligible votes counted in Singapore, Nasheed has received 98 of the ballots cast.

6:22pm – With 61 percent of registered voters having had their votes counted in Haa Alif Atoll, according to Haveeru, Nasheed leads in the country’s northernmost atoll. Haveeru’s counting reports 45.88 percent votes cast for Nasheed, 32.65 percent for Yameen, and 21.47 percent for Gasim. Haveeru notes that Nasheed gained the highest percentage in the atoll in the annulled round also, taking 44.48 percent on that occasion.

6:18pm – The Jumhooree Party’s Youth Wing Leader Moosa Anwar has submitted a letter to the Supreme Court, requesting that the second round of elections scheduled for Sunday be annulled.

Anwar said in his letter that if the second round of the Presidential election is scheduled for the next day itself, candidates are “being stripped of some electoral rights”, according to local media.

Among the “electoral rights” that he claimed may be lost, he pointed out that since there is a such a short window of time, candidates may not be able to campaign for the second round.

He further said that this may make it difficult for “whichever candidate who finishes third place to endorse the runner-up who makes it into the second round”.

Anwar also alleged that “many people have been deprived of their right to vote in the second round as the Elections Commission gave only a duration of three hours in which to re-register for it.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court has ruled that their verdict on annulling the September 7 election remains in effect, and hence the current President and his government will remain in power if a new government is not elected by November 11.

5:55pm – The official results on the Elections Commission’s website, representing 27.7 percent of eligible voters, so far place Nasheed in the lead with 42.1 percent of 65539 valid votes cast. Yameen follows with 33.89 percent, and Gasim trails behind with 24.11 percent of valid votes cast.

5:52pm – “Voting was very exciting and it’s important for the constitution in this situation,” said first time voter 18 year-old Mariyam. “Hopefully ‘ehburun’ (‘one round’).”

“Voting is important for the country and I think Anni will win in the first round,” said 23 year-old Abdulla Rasheed.

“I didn’t think today’s vote was going to happen. The Supreme Court will probably annul this round also if Anni wins first place,” said 28 year-old Nasheed.

“I’m excited to vote today, but not as much as on September 7 because of all the difficulties that have happened since then [with the obstructed September 28 and October 19],” said 25 year-old Mariyam.

“I have no idea what’s going to happen [if the election results will be upheld or annulled by the Supreme Court]. But I’m hoping for the best,” said 29 year-old Fathun. “It’s our right to vote, it’s a chance that we shouldn’t lose.”

“I had no idea if the vote was going to happen today. Last time I wanted to come vote, but the election was cancelled two times. This time I still feel bad [because of the security services and Supreme Court],” said 19 year-old Ahmed. “At the end of the day in the evening is when something will happen. During counting and calling [of results].”

5:02pm – The Supreme Court has ruled that their verdict annulling the September 7 elections remains in effect, and declared that the current President Mohamed Waheed and his government will remain in power if a new government is not elected by November 11.

The verdict – signed by four of the seven judges sitting on the Supreme Court bench – contradicts the parliamentary motion to appoint Speaker Abdulla Shahid as an interim President in the event that a new elected President cannot be sworn in by November 11.

According to local media, the order was signed by Judge Ali Hameed, Judge Ahmed Abdulla Didi, Abdulla Saeed and Abdulla Areef – the same four who annulled the September 7 polls based on a secret police report discredited by an expert UN review.

The verdict was issued in a case submitted by Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) lawyer Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, seeking the court to declare illegal parliament’s motion to appoint the Speaker as the interim president.

4:22pm – The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has issued a statement “congratulating the people of the Maldives for peacefully and patiently voting in the new first round of presidential elections. The Maldivian people have, once again, shown their unrelenting commitment to democracy.”

“The MDP is pleased to note that today’s polls proceeded smoothly, without major incident. The elections were observed by over 2,000 party officials as well as local and international election monitors. The isolated complaints received by the MDP mainly related to the voter registry and predominantly involved issues such as spelling errors in the voters list compiled in accordance to the Supreme Court guideline. In most cases, Election Commission staff promptly resolved the issues and people were able to cast their vote,” the party stated.

“The MDP would like to extend its thanks to the Election Commission and their staff, who worked tirelessly under difficult circumstances to ensure today’s vote took place. The MDP would also like to thank the international community, Maldivian civil society groups and all independent election monitors, whose efforts have helped to uphold Maldivian democracy.”

The statement concluded by calling on “all political parties and State institutions to ensure that the will of the people is respected.”

3:30pm – Polls have officially closed, but those still waiting in line will be able to cast their ballots.

3:15pm – Transparency Maldives (TM) has issued a press release thanking its 400 plus observers and reporting no major incidents up to this point.

“The opening of the polls was smooth, and the administrative preparation and execution went well, for which the Elections Commission and all relevant stakeholders deserve credit.”

TM reported that 99 percent of polling stations were open by 8am, and two or more candidate/party observers were present at 94.6 percent of all polling stations.

“Observers concluded that the polling stations were set up to ensure a secret vote in the vast majority of cases (97.5%). This was less clear in about 2.5% of all cases observed. These polling stations will be closely watched.”

“We encourage all parties to maintain a climate of peace. Our observers are working hard at polling stations and will be present at the polling stations till closing.”

2:45pm – Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) officers have circulated an appeal calling on their fellow soldiers not to obey “unlawful” orders issued by President Waheed or his political appointees, following the expiry of his presidential term at midnight on November 10.

The five-page document, signed by 73 officers including many mid-ranking officers, is titled “An appeal to soldiers to maintain their oath to be professional and apolitical.”

2:10pm – “We have no interest whatsoever in electing any particular candidate. I don’t believe that we have infringed any candidate’s rights by truthfully and factually answering media queries about who has so far signed and not signed the register,” said Thowfeek.

“We have a window of less than 24 hrs between the two rounds of voting, and so must speak of the matter. If this is then interpreted as anti campaigning, then the only choice left would be to stop providing information to the media completely, and that probably isn’t an acceptable option,” he concluded.

2:00pm – Initially, neither the PPM nor the JP turned up to sign the lists, and the JP has still not arrived to do so, revealed the EC.

JP Chairman Dr Ibrahim Didi told Minivan News earlier today that his party had no objection to holding the elections, but that it would not sign the lists. He said that the party would send a letter informing the EC of such, though the EC has not yet received any correspondence.

After signing some lists earlier today, the PPM left for a break before sending a letter stating that they would only sign lists with changes.

“It looks as if they are not so keen on fulfilling their duties and responsibilities. Signing these lists is a duty given to candidates & their reps by the SC,” said Thowfeek.

“Although ‘guideline’ does not literally translate to mean something obligatory, it is how all stakeholders interpret the Supreme Court guidelines.”

Thowfeek went on to say that the biggest number of complaints received had been regarding campaigning after the 6pm cut-off yesterday.

“The biggest complaint regarding campaigning/anti campaigning after 6 yesterday was about a sermon being shown on about 4 channels,” he added.

1:55pm – When asked about the reported complaints from the PPM regarding the potential use of lists different to those signed by the parties, Elections Commission member Ali Mohamed Manik said no such complaints had been received.

“We haven’t received any such complaints. There is absolutely no chance of that happening anyway. The thing is, different party representatives approached the signing in different manners. While some reps signed every single page of the lists, others signed the back of the last sheet of the full list for each box.”

1:50pm – “We’ve also asked Cabinet Minister Nazeer to convey our message to the president”

“We’ve been speaking to Nazim since 2am last night. However we haven’t yet found a way forward, the matter hasn’t been resolved so far.”

“Our initial plan was to have candidates sign only the lists that would have changes, but on the request of some candidates we have arranged for all the complete lists to be ready for signing.”

1:45pm – “We are ready and so are the police and MNDF,” continued Thowfeek.

“We have spoken about this to the candidates themselves and the defence minister Nazim who is the government’s election focal point.”

1:40pm – “As per SC regulations all candidates need to sign voter registry. We are very fortunate that all candidates have signed lists for the first round being held today,” said Thowfeek.

He went on to say that the JP had not signed any of the lists for tomorrow’s poll, whilst the PPM had signed some. The MDP, meanwhile, has said it is happy to sign the lists.

1:35pm – Commissioner Fuwad Thowfeek speaking at an Elections Commission press conference in the last hour:

“If there has to be a second round, it is to be held tomorrow. However, we are facing some obstacles.”

1:30pm – After casting his vote earlier today, President Waheed told Minivan News that he felt he had left a good democratic legacy, and hoped the transfer of power would be a smooth one.

“This vote is very important because the Maldivian people want to elect a new leader and they’ve been waiting for this for some time now. I hope this is all going to go well and soon we will have an elected president.”

1:10pm – A twitter hashtag #dearmaldives has been collecting messages of support for the election from around the world, with dozens of people from countries ranging from Cyprus to the Congo wishing good luck to the democratic process.

1:05pm –

12:05pm –

11:55am – Elections Commissioner Fuwad Thowfeek casts his vote.

11:45am – Faphun, 29, queuing to vote with her younger sister Shafega, 10, said she was hoping for the best after previous delays.

“It’s our right to vote – it’s a chance we shouldn’t lose.”

Numbers in lines are growing steadily after a low early turnout.

Meanwhile, Shafega said that she was very excited and wished she could vote today.

11:25am – The MDP complaints team said they have received complaints of some voters unable to vote because of minor spelling differences between ID card and voter registry. Most voters have been able to resolve issues and vote after calling the EC complaints bureau, MDP’s Nooshin Waheed said.

MDP is now filing one complaint regarding a man who was unable to vote because of minor difference in address.

11:11am – A group of people went up to the fifth floor of Elections Commission and created disruptions. Police advised them and sent them away.

11:00am – Police have taken the required ballot papers to Dhaal Atoll Bandidhoo Island. The ballot papers sent there originally were less than required.

10:55am – MDP candidate Nasheed expresses his confidence after voting at CHSE.

10:40am – Maldives High Commissioner to Singapore, Mauroof Khaleel confirmed to Minivan News that former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is in Singapore at the moment. Gayoom is registered to vote in Male’ according to the Elections Commission 1414 service. Khaleel said he does not know if Gayoom intends to go to Male today.

10:30am – Sacko, 24, explained why there were relatively few voters in today’s lines compared with the September 7 vote:

“People are fed-up with the nonsense, so not so many are out this time.”

He did, however, believe today’s vote to be important: “We are all one – the elections are important today.”

10:20am – PPM candidate Yameen doubts the MDP can achieve a first round victory.

“I don’t believe that will happen. I don’t believe that at all. Because there were lots of problems in the first round and it is not a correct vote.”

Aske if he would accept election results whilst having issues with the voter registry, he called for these polling booths to be closed immediately.

“No, no election will not end with these issues. It has to stop now. They have to remove that list. Polls cannot proceed at that box now. This the law now. If there is any list at any ballot boxes without candidate’s signatures, they have to stop immediately.”

“The election cannot be finished with those issues. The election can only proceed when those issues are addressed.”

10:20am – PPM candidate Abdulla Yameen spoke with the press after casting his vote. Asked whether he was happy with the voting process, he replied: “No. We are receiving complaints that in some places, lists we did not sign are being used.”

“We are looking into it and submitting it to the Elections [Commission]. But EC is not being responsive. So I am not happy.”

Yameen said lists he did not sign are being used in more areas than one. Asked about his plans should he not win in one round, he said: “If I don’t win in the first round and go to a second round? Allah will not will that.”

10:15am – More twitter users saying officials obstructing people wearing yellow from voting.

No campaigning is allowed on polling day. Voters can wear any colour, so long as it does not have campaign messages.

10:10am – Fathimath Irene, 28, voting at Aminya School – T08 1.2 – said that after waiting in line for an hour, she was told by EC officials she could not enter the polling station because she was wearing a yellow shirt.

She was told to leave, but pointed to other voters wearing pink and red. People at the polling station told her not to leave, should be able to vote no matter which color.

After officials called someone, Irene was finally allowed to vote.

“I was very embarrassed when they told me I could not vote and tried to send me away with all of those people there. But I’m feeling good now that I was able to vote.”

10:00am – According to police, voting at Majeedhiyya School ST 2 box was suspended for a bit because someone who was assisting an old person voted instead of them, but voting has resumed now.

9:55am – 53 year-old Fathimath Didi, who was lined up to vote at the Aminiya School polling booth, said “I’m not completely sure this vote will go any better with Fuwad in the Elections Commission. If he doesn’t tamper with our votes, we can make sure ‘Ladhini’ (irreligious) Nasheed doesn’t go into the second round.”

Ahmed Ali, a 35 year-old voter standing behind Didi, retorted, “You just don’t appreciate even the sincerest efforts by the Elections Commission, do you? With a free vote, insha Allah we will take back our country in a single round.

9:50am – “I think this time voting will go smoothly. I just hope the Supreme Court doesn’t interfere again tonight,” said 63 year old Ameena Ali, who voted at the Centre for Higher Secondary Education in Male.

“Poor [Elections Commissioner] Fuwad Thowfeek was hospitalised due to this pressure. It is mainly his perservenece that has brought us here. It is now up to us to win back democracy in one round,” said 65 year-old Fathimath Shaheedha.

9:40am – Social media continues to circulate pictures of people guarding cemeteries, in reference to the police intelligence report – recently discredited by UN experts – alleging deceased voters had taken part in the September 7 poll.

The report was the primary factor in the Supreme Court’s decision to annul the poll.

9:30am – Voter turnout is widely reported to have been lower than expected so far.

9:20am – Police said on website they have detained someone who showed their ballot paper after marking vote and someone who took a picture of their ballot paper in the polling station set up at the Center for Holy Quran.

9:10am – Police queuing to vote in Addu City.

9:05am – Local news outlet CNM has reported a disagreement in Kaafy Aoll, Villingili Island, between the police and EC officials.

Police were allegedly standing too close to the ballot box, less than 100 ft away, EC officials asked them to stay further away, police refused saying they were acting on orders. But after calling their seniors, police left.

8:50am – Dhiraagu and Haveeru together have introduced a service to check results via text message. Haveeru volunteers will be updating website with results throughout the day.

Text “result” to 2013 and you will get total update (not the official result).

To check result of a particular atoll, text letter of atoll (eg S for Addu atoll) to 2013 you will get results of that atoll.

To check result of ballot box, text the EC code for ballot box to 2013 and you will get results for that box.

Every SMS is charged MVR2.

8:40am – New ballot, minus incumbent President Dr Mohamed Waheed (picture by @tenUNTIT)

8:30am – Mariyam, 25, was extremely excited about having just cast her vote: “I’m hopeful that this vote will be upheld.”

8:20am – Abdulla Rasheed, 23, thinks Nasheed will win in the first round: “I’m excited to vote because it is important for the country.”

8:15am – Shaffan, aged 23, queuing up to vote: “We have been waiting for this for ages – we’re really happy to vote. Although there were difficult circumstances before, we’re still hopeful.”

8:05am – Tweets from Haa Alif Dhihdoo reveal that youth are watching over cemetery to ensure that no deceased people are able to vote in this round.

8:00am – Polling begins in Malaysia.

7:40am – Voters report that no bags or mobile phones are allowed in the queues or the polling booths.

7:35am – According to the Police, ballot papers sent to Dhaa Atoll Bandidhoo were less than the number of voters registered there. Elections Commission is now sending more ballot papers.

7:30am – Jumhooree Party candidate Gasim Ibrahim has cast his vote.

7:20am – Voting in Fuvahmulah.

7:10am – Supreme Court Guideline 13 states that the latest token number issued to voters must be announced every 30 minutes to voters [waiting in queue], the relevant official should note the token number near the person’s name on the list while marking the name of the person after he or she has voted, and impartial officials must be appointed to ensure that no person’s name is marked twice and that two token numbers are not listed near the same name.

The Elections Commission has appointed a new official at every polling station to do this task

7:00am – Polls open across the country

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MNDF officers sign appeal not to obey government’s orders following expiry of presidential term

Additional Reporting by Zaheena Rasheed

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) officers have circulated an appeal calling on their fellow soldiers not to obey “unlawful” orders issued by President Waheed or his political appointees, following the expiry of his presidential term at midnight on November 10.

The five-page document, signed by 73 officers including many mid-ranking officers, is titled “An appeal to soldiers to maintain their oath to be professional and apolitical.”

Given that the Article 107 of the Constitution limits the presidential term to five years,
And given that Article 108 of the constitution mandates the election of a president through a secret and direct vote of the people,
And given the current presidential term ends on 11 November 2013,
We do not believe there will be a president and a Commander in Chief on 11 November 2013 if there is no president elect,
And we believe the positions of President, the cabinet and all individuals  in political posts will expire at 12:00 midnight on 10 November 2013. With reference to the aforementioned constitutional articles, we believe any order they make in the name of any institution on the army and police is unlawful. We call your attention to Article 245 of the Constitution which states that we do not have to obey such orders.
In order to maintain the oath we took in the name of Allah, we have to protect the Constitution.
We swore to sacrifice our bodies and life to [protect the constitution], hence, we know the fundamental aspects of the constitutions. Neither the Attorney General nor other party have to interpret [the constitution] to us.
Hence, we call on all soldiers to respect the Constitution.

MNDF Spokesperson Colonel Abdul Raheem said he could not verify the petition as he has not seen the petition or received any information regarding the petition.

Colonel Raheem confirmed that the MNDF had promoted over 300 officers on Friday, the last working day before the expiry of President Mohamed Waheed’s term.

Colonel Abdul Raheem said the promotions had been awarded “as per usual procedures”, but said he did not know the specific reason for the promotion of such a large block of soldiers at this time.

An MNDF source meanwhile told Minivan News that the soldiers who had signed today’s appeal “are the backbone of the military, because they physically work out the operational plans. Earlier we saw the leadership’s message, and now the backbone of the military are taking the same stand to uphold the constitution.”

The appeal follows a “letter of concern” sent on Monday (October 3) by senior officers in the MNDF to Chief of Defence Force Major-General Ahmed Shiyam, following the failure of the country to hold scheduled elections on September 28.

An officer who signed that letter told Minivan News on condition of anonymity: “This is not a petition. It is a letter of concern over the Supreme Court’s order to delay elections, the failure of state institutions, and the possible politicisation of the military, and asking that unconstitutional orders not be issued.”

The MNDF reacted by firing, suspending, transferring and demoting many of the officers who had signed the letter, and then introduced new regulation banning officers from inciting “upheaval and chaos [through] speech, writing, action or gesture amongst members of the military.”

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Maldives set for polls after months of turmoil and brinksmanship

Additional reporting by Ahmed Naish

Voting stations will be open November 9 from 7:00am to 3:30pm. Counting will begin half an hour after polls close, with provisional results expected by 11:30pm. A run off will be scheduled for November 10 if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the total votes.

Overseas ballot boxes will open at varying times in each country: Sri Lanka, New Delhi and Trivandrum – 8:00am to 4:30pm; Malaysia and Singapore – 10:30am to 7:00pm; London 9:00am to 5:30pm.

Check where you are registered to vote using the EC’s 1414 SMS system (text 1414 in the format ‘VIS [National ID #]’, or by visiting http://elections.gov.mv/index2715.html

The Maldives is set to head to the polls on November 9 after months of political turmoil and brinksmanship over the suspension, delay, annulment and obstruction of the 2013 presidential election.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed, ousted from power on February 7 2012 by a mutinying police force that attacked military headquarters, armed opposition demonstrators and stormed the state broadcaster before giving him an ultimatum to resign, emerged the clear front-runner in September’s polls with 45.45 percent of the vote.

Nasheed was set to face Abdulla Yameen (25.35 percent), half brother of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in a run-off on September 28. However the vote was suspended by the Supreme Court after third-placed candidate, resort tycoon Gasim Ibrahim (24.07 percent), filed a case alleging vote rigging – despite unanimous positive assessments by more than 1000 local and international election observers.

Gasim was joined in court by Yameen and the Attorney General, Gayoom’s former lawyer Azima Shukoor. Despite a sex video scandal impinging the integrity of at least one judge on the seven member bench, the court on October 8 in a 4-3 majority annulled the vote on the basis of a secret police report that was never even shown to the defence counsel, let alone the public.

That report, since leaked (and translated here), was this morning dismissed by an expert UN review panel.

Following the annulment, the same court held a succession of midnight hearings imposing increasing sets of restrictions on the Elections Commission’s conduct of the polls, including demands that it redo the entire voter re-registration process, and conduct extensive fingerprint verification of forms when no institution in the country had the capacity to do so on such a scale.

One of these restrictions, giving candidates the power to veto the polls by not signing the voter lists – was used by the police as justification for forcibly obstruction the rescheduled election from taking place on October 19, after Yameen and Gasim disappeared and failed to answer phone calls ahead of the signing deadline.

The court’s annulment followed two weeks of street protests, strikes,travel warnings and rumblings of concern from top ranks in the military.

The question in recent weeks, both on Male’s streets and in diplomatic circles, has not been “Who will win the election?”, but instead, “Will there be an election at all?”

“Will there be an election?”

That may finally have been answered after international patience with the delaying tactics appeared to run out last week.

UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay accused the Maldives’ Supreme Court of interfering excessively in the elections, “subverting the democratic process and violating the right of Maldivians to freely elect their representatives.”

“I am normally the first to defend the independence of the judiciary, but this also carries responsibilities… The Supreme Court appears set on undermining other independent institutions, stifling criticism and public debate, and depriving litigants of the legal representation of their choice,” Pillay stated.

US Ambassador Michele J Sison declared that after “weeks of political bickering and questionable delaying tactics, Maldives democracy is now in peril.”

“Further delays in Maldivian Presidential elections and continued misuse of institutions have already led many in the international community to question the legitimacy of both the process, as well as the outcome of those elections,” she stated.

“Ultimately, the power of any government rests in the consent of its people. If citizens are not allowed to freely express their desires, then those that pretend to govern cannot be perceived as having legitimacy to govern,” she said, calling on Maldivians to “salvage their democratic future”.

The UK’s Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire, declared in British parliament that “Anything short of [scheduled elections] will be unacceptable. I say again to those people listening in the Maldives: the world is watching closely and it wants democratic elections, a democratically elected president and no further impediment to that to be created artificially by anyone in that country, which deserves so much better.”

British MP Karen Lumley went a step further: “What happened smacks to me of a child who cannot win a board game, so they tip over the board,” she said of the decision to annul the September 7 vote.

Following a visit to Male’ this week, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco declared Saturday a “decisive moment for democracy in the Maldives.”

“It is time to allow the people of the Maldives to express their voice and their legitimate will through the ballot box. A continued failure to do so would be a serious setback to consolidating democracy in the country, with potentially serious repercussions, including a very likely negative impact on the already fragile economy,” he warned.

Surprisingly, the final major obstacle to the holding of tomorrow’s polls – Yameen and Gasim’ s continued refusal to sign the voter lists – suddenly evaporated on Wednesday night following the pair’s meeting with Nasheed and President Waheed.

“We made this difficult decision because of the rising anxiety of citizens and the financial loss faced by the state every day that the vote is delayed, to minimise foreign influence on this beloved nation, and to provide the party’s utmost cooperation to elect a president by November 11 by compromising to prioritise national interest ahead of the party’s interest,” read a statement from Yameen’s Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM).

The party insists it remains skeptical of the Elections Commission and the integrity of the polls.

Gasim meanwhile told local media he had suddenly reversed his decision not to cooperate in an effort to save the nation from “starvation”.

“The country should not be impoverished because of our bickering at this stage. So as the country has reached this state I don’t want to be obstinate and refuse to sign the list,” he said.

He continued to allege that the EC was “biased” and seeking to install Nasheed as president, despite asserting “100 percent” confidence that he would win.

Nasheed was blunt: “The truth is they finally signed the voter list because a German tourist agency told them to.”

An economic resolution

If a political resolution solution was not found and the country plunged into electoral and constitutional limbo, the final resolution was always going to be economic.

The dire state of the Maldives’ financial affairs was revealed this week by Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad, in a report to parliament’s finance committee.

Tourism growth (as measured in bed nights) flatlined in 2012, plunging to negative 0.1 percent from 15.8 percent growth in 2010 and 9.2 percent in 2011.

“The main reason for this was the political turmoil the country faced in February 2012 and the decline in the number of days tourists spent in the country,” the ministry’s statement acknowledged.

Activists this week hijacked World Travel Market twitter hashtag, flooding the feed of the world’s largest tourism expo with images of political brutality and calls for boycotts of Gasim’s Villa Hotel group.

Foreign banks have meanwhile refused to buy treasury bills (T-bills) from the Maldives, with some even refusing to roll over previously-sold T-bills, while others only agreed to buy them at interest rates of 11 percent, Jihad conceded.

While MVR500 million (US$32 million) a month was needed to pay salaries and allowances for state employees, government income in some months was just MVR300 million (US$19 million), Jihad noted, leaving the government no option but to draw on the central bank’s reserves.

Central Bank governor Fazeel Najeeb meanwhile warned that these reserves – barely several months worth of imports – had fallen so low as to place the Maldives on the verge of having to print money.

The State Trading Organisation (STO) then declared that oil supplies would run dry as soon as November 10 due to its US$20 million debt to suppliers, largely a result of the failure of state-owned companies to front up almost US$40 million in payments, and begged the central bank to bail it out.

The Maldives is dependent on oil for tourism, fishing, power and transport, with petroleum imports amounting to US$248.4 million in the first half of 2013 – representing 29 percent of the cost of all goods brought into the country.

A day later, the European Union rejected the Maldives’ application for an extension of duty free status for fish imports, due to country’s failure to comply with international conventions concerning freedom of religion and women’s rights.

The Maldives exports 40 percent of its US$100 million fishing industry to the EU, its single largest export partner by value. The imposing of the 14-20 percent duty as of January 2014 would lead to a loss of US$1.66 a kilo exported, revealed Economic Development Minister Ahmed Mohamed.

On his last day in office, President Mohamed Waheed meanwhile approved the lump sum payment of three months’ wages to cabinet ministers, a total expenditure of MVR 2 million (US$129,702).

“Who will win?”

With the registries signed, election materials have been dispatched across the Maldives with officials already arriving with ballot papers in the southern-most atolls of Addu and Fuvahmulah.

Transparency Maldives has announced it is ready to monitor the elections, while elections observation teams from the Commonwealth, UN, EU and countries including India and Japan are present in the country. Elections Commissioner Fuwad Thowfeek told local media he has been assured by Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim that police would cooperate with tomorrow’s election.

The number of eligible voters in the revote is 239,105, just a few hundred short of the 239,593 registered to vote on September 7, which saw an 88 percent voter turnout.

Campaigning by Yameen and Gasim during the court saga has been muted compared with the lead up to September 7, while the MDP has maintained regular rallies and protest actions following the annulment.

The impact of the annulment and attempts to delay the polls, as well as the behaviour of the Supreme Court and international opprobrium on voter sentiment makes it difficult to predict support for Yameen and Gasim based on the results of the first round. This is especially true in the case of Gasim, whose energetic, incentive-based campaigning ahead of the first round appears to have been diluted by the focus on the court trial.

Foreknowledge of the annulled first round results may also impact non-committal voters in unpredictable ways.

Following the results of the first round, in which the incumbent President received just 5.13 percent of the vote, the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) which had been in coalition with Waheed defected to Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Waheed withdrew from the race.

Based on the results of the first round this could be expected to lend up to five percent to the MDP, helping the party close on the more than 50 percent of the vote it so confidently predicted it would achieve ahead of September 7.

Minivan News will be covering the November 9 election via live news blog.

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Comment: No need for Speaker to take charge if elections held, results respected

The Maldives’ Constitution (Article 4) is very clear that our country is a democracy in which all the powers of the State are derived from and remain with the citizens.

In particular legislative power (the power to enact laws that govern our society) lies with a democratically-elected parliament while executive power (the power to act as executor of those laws and see the will of the people reflected in the governing of the country) should lie with a democratically-elected president.

Unfortunately, since the coup of February 2012 we have seen power flicker from one unelected institution to another, in complete disregard of the will of the people as voiced in the 2008 elections: from an unelected president to an unelected supreme court, and from an unelected police commissioner to an unelected attorney-general.

It is now time to place power back in the hands of the citizens. The 88 percent voter turnout in the September 7 polls was that power. It is imperative that November 9’s elections proceed peacefully and with the full cooperation and goodwill of all political parties and State institutions, including the police.

Certain political leaders, as well as members of the Supreme Court, have treated voters with a level of contempt that beggars belief – asking citizens to vote, and when they didn’t like the result, asking them to vote again, and again, and again.

As the UK’s MP for Redditch, Karen Lumley suggested during the Westminster Hall debate on the Maldives this week, this has been like “watching a child who cannot win at a board game tip over the board”.

If our stroppy candidates (who could put Fagin to shame), and their gang of police boys, discredited judges and the unloved President allow these elections to go ahead, and this time they do respect the result, then we will not enter a constitutional void and it will not be necessary for the parliament as the only body in the Maldives which has been democratically elected in a free and fair vote, through the person of the Speaker, to assume executive control.

If, however, unelected individuals once again demonstrate contempt for democracy, if they once again decide that the powers of the State reside with them and not with the citizens, then parliament will be forced to step in as per the Majlis resolution of October 27th 2013.

The Speaker, as the last remaining democratically elected head of the last remaining democratically elected body must take over the interim presidency and ensure a free and fair vote for the people of the Maldives.

To quote President Nasheed, “there is no Houdini to pull the rabbit out of the hat. No magic tricks. No improvisations. We follow the Constitution. We follow the spirit and letter of the Constitution.”

Eva Abdulla is the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP for Galolhu North, and Asia-Pacific Member of the IPU Committee for Women MPs

All comment pieces are the sole view of the author and do not reflect the editorial policy of Minivan News. If you would like to write an opinion piece, please send proposals to [email protected]

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Virgin tycoon calls for elections in the Maldives “as soon as possible”

British business tycoon Sir Richard Branson has called for free elections “as soon as possible” in the Maldives, after police blocked the election from taking place on October 19.

The head of the Virgin Empire, who has previously blogged on the Maldives’ political turmoil, said he had drafted an article several weeks ago “to praise President Waheed for taking his country back into free and fair elections and bringing true democracy back to the country.”

“But before I had chance to publish it, the Maldives police intervened and stopped the ballot boxes reaching the polling stations,” Branson said.

His comments follow findings from the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) that the police stopped the election illegally, in violation of the constitution.

Additionally, a leaked Human Rights Commission (HRCM) report obtained by Minivan News questions the credibility of the evidence used by the Supreme Court to annul the first round of presidential polls, and the court’s authority to issue guidelines effectively permitting candidates to effectively veto future elections.

“Knowing President Waheed as I do, my instinct is that he is not behind the blocking of the election process, and that other people who didn’t do well in the first round of the elections are trying to stop a fair election taking place,” the tycoon suggested.

Waheed, who received 5.13 percent of the vote in the annulled first round, has withdrawn from the revote and publicly stated that he has no intention of remaining in power after the end of the presidential term on November 11.

“I am not comfortable to stay on. It would be my preference that there be an elected President. And it would also be my preference that if this is not possible, then there would be some other arrangement made,” Waheed told The Hindu.

Branson however observed that while the election had been rescheduled for November 9, “the Maldives Supreme Court has brought a ruling that the candidates will have the power of veto – so unless all candidates agree to the electoral roll there will be no elections.”

“Plus, if a run off is needed it will be on November 16th, which is after the expiry of the current presidential term, creating a constitutional void. This whole process is a huge threat to democracy, which perhaps sadly is what some of the candidates want, having seen how the public voted in the first election round,” Branson wrote.

“The people of the Maldives need fair representation and they need free elections as soon as possible. Should that not happen, governments must lobby for change and the world community must demand action until free, fair elections take place,” he concluded.

Virgin politics

Branson first waded into Maldivian politics on his blog on February 24 2012, soon after Waheed’s controversial ascension to power amid a police mutiny earlier that month.

Branson publicly called for President Waheed to “do the right thing” and hold free and fair elections before the end of the year.

It was, Branson wrote to Dr Waheed, “completely astounding that you have been part of an overthrow of a democratically elected government that has effectively let the old regime back into power.”

“Knowing you, I would assume that you were given no choice and that it was through threats that you have ended up in this position,” Branson said. “I do very much hope that was the case rather than you doing it of your own free will.”

Days later, Branson wrote another entry, saying that he had spoken on the phone to Dr Waheed, who told him he had appointed “a respected person” to examine the truth of what caused President Nasheed to “resign”.

“He says that he didn’t know who issued an arrest warrant for President Nasheed after he left office but that it had been rescinded within 48 hours. He is determined to be an honest broker, to be seen to be one, and to get everyone’s confidence. He said that he offered to bring in people from President Nasheed’s party but they refused to join.”

A few days later, Branson wrote a third post, resuming his first call for early elections “as soon as feasibly possible”.

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