Claiming that the Maldivian President and his political rival Abdulla Yameen was likely to “lose elections but hold on to power”, opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed urged the international community to reject the outcome of what he said would be “a rigged poll”.
Addressing reporters here on Friday, two days ahead of the scheduled Presidential election in the Indian Ocean Archipelago, he said the international community must not “accept, recognise, or have diplomatic or trade relations” with the Yameen-led government in such a scenario.
Mr. Yameen is seeking a second five-year term in office, amid growing international criticism of his authoritarian turn. In addition to the U.S. and the U.K., India has also urged the Maldivian government to allow democratic institutions to function independently, to ensure a conducive environment for the elections. The U.S. and EU have threatened sanctions.
A coalition of opposition parties, led by Mr. Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has fielded senior lawmaker Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to run against Mr. Yameen.
Former President Mr. Nasheed, who is convicted of terrorism charges that are widely believed to be politically motivated, is currently in exile in Sri Lanka. Now 51, he was forcefully unseated in 2012 in an alleged coup. In 2013, Mr. Yameen narrowly defeated him and rose to power.
Voter registration
In the run-up to Sunday’s election, the Opposition has repeatedly raised concern over possible election rigging, pointing to apparently fraudulent voter registration.
The government has rejected the charges and the Elections Commission in Male has assured people of a free and fair election.
The Commission on Thursday released a list of approved international monitors and observers, including foreign journalists, but many on the list had not been given a visa as of Friday evening.
The Maldives has experienced political turbulence since February, when President Yameen declared a State of Emergency for 45 days after the Supreme Court overturned convictions against nine dissident leaders, including Mr. Nasheed. His administration also arrested former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the Chief Justice, and another Supreme Court judge for “attempting to overthrow the government”.
Chinese influence
Sunday’s election, according to the opposition leader, is significant not just for the Maldivian people, but for the entire Indian Ocean Region where a “cold war is brewing” between India and China.
Mr. Nasheed, who has earlier accused China of trapping the Maldives in debt with its massive infrastructure contracts, on Friday accused the Asian giant of backing Mr. Yameen in the polls.
“China has an interest in maintaining the authoritarian regime of Yameen,” he said.
