India proposes early presidential elections in Maldives

Male, Feb 29 (PTI) India has proposed early presidential elections in the Maldives to end the political impasse in the country following the ouster of the first democratically elected President Mohamed Nasheed. During his talks with leaders of political parties last night, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai presented a paper which hinted at presidential election before the end of this year, local media quoted participants at the meeting as saying. Mathai arrived here yesterday on an unannounced visit to hold meetings with various stakeholders. This is his second visit here following the political unrest that sieged the country early this month following Nasheed's ouster. The Sun online claimed that the paper presented by Mathai sought amendments to the Constitution within one month to pave the way for an early Presidential election before December this year. Asked on the outcome of the meeting, chaired by the first human rights commissioner of Maldives and ex-minister Ahmed Mujuthaba, Mathai said he might tell something later today. Indian High Commissioner to Maldives D M Mulay and Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, former chief of Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party, were also present. Maldives current Attorney General also attended the meeting towards the end. During the meeting, some of the political leaders had a few differences with the Foreign Secretary and the meeting which lasted for two hours didn't find a consensus forward. Some of the political parties representatives objected the presence of Mathai at the meeting, saying it was not good as the Indian Foreign Secretary is involving himself in the internal matters of this country, media reports said. Mathai came to Maldives at the peak of the differences among the political parties and it was he who was able to make all the political parties agree for talks. Mujuthaba said there are so many points to be discussed and among them two are very arguable. That is the date of an early Presidential election and the agreement between the political parties to make way for President Mohamed Waheed to deliver the opening speech at the Majlis (Parliament) tomorrow. Mujuthaba also hoped that a consensus on the agenda can come at the meeting to be held later today. The Foreign Secretary during his earlier visit on February 15, had helped broker a deal between the political parties here on the issue of early elections. Sources had earlier said that India was willing to offer any assistance, if asked for, for holding elections in the country that had witnessed political unrest following the resignation of Nasheed as President on February 7. Noting that the People's Majlis (Parliament) is scheduled to meet on March 1, official sources had said they hoped "some sort of understanding, some sort of arrangement among the parties on not only on the date of elections but also for cooperation on the floor of Parliament". Mathai's visit also comes in the backdrop of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon, Home Minister Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and President's spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza saying that the present government, headed by Mohammed Waheed, did not give assurance to any country or organisation regarding early polls. PTI