Written question asked by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 February 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 February 2007. It was answered by Ian McCartney (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 February 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Maldives

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made on ensuring free and fair (a) Presidential and (b) Parliamentary elections in the Maldives; what international observers she expects to be present at the next elections; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Presidential elections are expected in 2008 and Parliamentary elections in 2010. These will be important elections as they should be the first held under a multiparty system. At this early stage, we do not yet have any information on whether or how international partners will observe them.It is essential that the Maldives accelerate the pace of reform to match the timetable set out by the President last year in his Road Map for Reform. All political groups in the Maldives need to engage in dialogue to move towards a consensus on constitutional change. On that basis, we welcome reports that the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party, which forms the current Maldivian government, and the main opposition, Maldivian Democratic Party, are now in consultations and preparing for discussions on constitutional and legislative change. The Government have in discussions with Maldivian Ministers and through our High Commission in Colombo (also accredited to Maldives) encouraged and hosted dialogue between the two political parties.

Secondary information