Secretary-General Stresses ‘Utmost Importance’ of Respecting Popular Will

in Maldives Presidential Election’s Second Round

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is carefully monitoring the situation in the Maldives following the first round of the presidential election held on 7 September.  He notes that the conduct of the first round had been widely recognized as a success by international and domestic election observers.

The Secretary-General urges all political leaders to live up to their responsibilities, respect the democratic process and continue to allow for a peaceful, inclusive and credible vote to take place in the second round of the presidential polls on 28 September, as scheduled and in accordance with the Constitution.

He stresses the utmost importance of the will of the Maldivian people being respected throughout the process.

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For information media • not an official record