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The Commonwealth expelled the Maldives today from its disciplinary panel which has begun investigating the political chaos in the country after repeated court interventions that scuttled elections, a diplomat said.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which can recommend the expulsion of countries from the 53-member bloc, ejected the Indian Ocean islands during a meeting in the Sri Lankan capital today.
"As long as Maldives remains on the agenda of CMAG, it can't be a member of this panel," the diplomat said after the Commonwealth issued a statement confirming that the Maldives was discussed today.
The country faces a constitutional crisis after three presidential elections were cancelled, with Western and Indian diplomats increasingly vocal in their criticism of the regime of incumbent Mohamed Waheed.
Opposition leader and former president Mohammed Nasheed has won two votes in the last two months with more than 45 percent of ballots, but a run-off election has been repeatedly delayed by the Supreme Court.
"Ministers will continue to monitor the situation in Maldives closely over the coming days," the Commonwealth said in a statement. "The chair of CMAG will brief Commonwealth heads of government on 15 November 2013, when they meet in Colombo.
Maldives ejected from Commonwealth panel over vote delay | Business Standard
too sad to see that political interfere and vested interests of some political strong jones are marring the election in Maldives..
New York: UN leader Ban Ki-moon is "gravely concerned" by the suspension of a presidential runoff vote in the Maldives due to be held on Sunday, a spokesman said.
Ban wants the vote held in the Indian Ocean nation without further delay, said the UN spokesman Martin Nesirky.
The Maldives Supreme Court postponed the vote a few hours before it was due to start.
Mohamed Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected leader who was ousted in February 2012, accused the court of delaying the election to block his return to power. Nasheed won almost 47 percent of the vote in Saturday's first round and seemed set to return to office.
Ban feels that the first round was "peaceful and transparent," his spokesman said.
"Nonetheless, the secretary general is gravely concerned at the decision to delay the second round scheduled for November 10.
"He urgently calls on all political actors and state institutions to show restraint, to respect the legitimate will of the people expressed in the election on November 9, and to conclude the presidential election process without further delay in the best interest of the Maldivian people," said Nesirky.
Ban offered UN political support to overcome the crisis.
UN 'gravely concerned' by Maldives vote delay | NDTV.com
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which can recommend the expulsion of countries from the 53-member bloc, ejected the Indian Ocean islands during a meeting in the Sri Lankan capital today.
"As long as Maldives remains on the agenda of CMAG, it can't be a member of this panel," the diplomat said after the Commonwealth issued a statement confirming that the Maldives was discussed today.
The country faces a constitutional crisis after three presidential elections were cancelled, with Western and Indian diplomats increasingly vocal in their criticism of the regime of incumbent Mohamed Waheed.
Opposition leader and former president Mohammed Nasheed has won two votes in the last two months with more than 45 percent of ballots, but a run-off election has been repeatedly delayed by the Supreme Court.
"Ministers will continue to monitor the situation in Maldives closely over the coming days," the Commonwealth said in a statement. "The chair of CMAG will brief Commonwealth heads of government on 15 November 2013, when they meet in Colombo.
Maldives ejected from Commonwealth panel over vote delay | Business Standard
too sad to see that political interfere and vested interests of some political strong jones are marring the election in Maldives..
New York: UN leader Ban Ki-moon is "gravely concerned" by the suspension of a presidential runoff vote in the Maldives due to be held on Sunday, a spokesman said.
Ban wants the vote held in the Indian Ocean nation without further delay, said the UN spokesman Martin Nesirky.
The Maldives Supreme Court postponed the vote a few hours before it was due to start.
Mohamed Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected leader who was ousted in February 2012, accused the court of delaying the election to block his return to power. Nasheed won almost 47 percent of the vote in Saturday's first round and seemed set to return to office.
Ban feels that the first round was "peaceful and transparent," his spokesman said.
"Nonetheless, the secretary general is gravely concerned at the decision to delay the second round scheduled for November 10.
"He urgently calls on all political actors and state institutions to show restraint, to respect the legitimate will of the people expressed in the election on November 9, and to conclude the presidential election process without further delay in the best interest of the Maldivian people," said Nesirky.
Ban offered UN political support to overcome the crisis.
UN 'gravely concerned' by Maldives vote delay | NDTV.com
