On February 15, 2012 His Excellency the President received the delegation of EU Ambassadors accredited to Maldives and exchanged views on the current political situation in Maldives based on their fact finding mission. Among other subjects they focused on the ways and means of taking forward the constitutional amendments in order to hold election before 2013. It was recognized that this had to be effected as the constitution does not provide for elections to be held prior to this date.
His Excellency the President briefed the delegation on the initiatives he had taken to ensure the right conditions for the holding of elections. In particular he exchanged views on the draft “Roadmap for a possible way forward” which embodied a number of important ingredients that would create the right conditions for a free and fair election. The President explained that he will continue with this process of consultations among all political parties in order to arrive at a consensus.
His regretted that despite several overtures made to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), to engage itself in this process of dialogue, they have opted not to participate. But instead persist in perpetrating vicious propaganda, outright lies intimidation and even violence. However, he assured that he would continue to exert restrain and hope that responsible leadership will eventually prevail in the MDP and it would be a party of this consensus building mechanism in the interest of progressive and peaceful Maldives.
His Excellency was heartened by the delegations endorsement of his initiative in bringing about the constitutional amendment and the framework for holding free and fair elections. He expressed appreciation for the delegations praiseworthy comments and full support of the draft Roadmap which they highly commended as a visionary framework that should be supported by the MDP as well. The Delegation assured his Excellency that they would use their good offices to persuade the MDP to engage in what the members endorsed as a comprehensive and viable framework.
In the informal exchange of views, members of the delegation had expressed that they would give wider currency to the importance of the Roadmap among member countries. In addition His Excellency also revealed that he would like to appoint an Ombudsman and is in the process of looking out for a suitable candidate to fill this august position upon finalizing the Terms of Reference based on International Practices.