Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča visits Maldives to discuss Presidential Elections

Note to Correspondents

Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenča started his visit in Malé today to discuss the preparations for the presidential elections taking place in Maldives on 23 September. He underlined to all interlocutors the utmost priority of ensuring peaceful, fair and transparent elections.

Mr. Jenča met with President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom as well as Government Ministers. He was encouraged by the Government’s commitment to ensure credible elections and further discussed ways and additional efforts to build a level playing field for fair electoral competition.

He also exchanged views with the Joint Opposition presidential candidate Mr. Ibrahim Solih and his running mate Mr. Faisal Naseem, emphasizing the critical role of the opposition in the democratic political process.

With the Elections Commission Chair, he exchanged views on maintaining the Commission’s impartiality, the voter registry, unimpeded space for campaigning, equal access to media, complaint resolution and both domestic and foreign observation.

Mr. Jenča stressed that genuine and inclusive political parties dialogue was the only conducive way to build a peaceful, prosperous and stable democracy. He will meet with civil society and diplomatic representatives tomorrow.

Malé, 9 August 2018