ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES

That this House welcomes the forthcoming presidential elections in the Republic of Maldives as the country's first multi-party elections; notes with concern that there is no independent election commission in the Maldives; further notes with concern that state-run media institutions, including the country's only television channel, are under no obligation to provide equal coverage for all political parties and their candidates, including the main opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party; encourages the Government to establish an independent field presence in the Maldives to monitor the election process, or assist the EU to send at least 30 election observers to the Maldives; and further encourages the Government to emphasise the importance of a free and fair electoral process as part of the continuing political and constitutional reforms.