Maldives election will not be free and fair
Say foreign monitors as country votes today
The Maldives presidential election will not be free and fair because President Abdulla Yameen has used draconian laws to crackdown on rivals, a foreign monitoring group said on the eve of voting.
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) yesterday said the political environment in the tourist paradise was heavily tipped in favour of Yameen and they did not expect a fair contest.
"The ANFREL denounces recent developments... which ensure that the upcoming presidential election of September 23 cannot be considered free and fair," the group said in a statement.
It said it was recognised by the Maldivian Elections Commission and given accreditation to monitor the voting, but that its staff were denied visas to enter the country. A number of international journalists have also been denied permission to cover the polls.
"It appears that Maldivian authorities are granting visas only to observers and monitors they perceive as friendly, while using ANFREL's name and that of other applicants in an attempt to gain international legitimacy," the organisation said.
The statement came a day after exiled former leader Mohamed Nasheed urged the international community not to accept the outcome of the election.
A relatively unknown politician, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, 54, is backed by Nasheed to try to beat Yameen who came to power following a controversial run off against Nasheed in the 2013 election.
US and EU have expressed deep concern over Yameen's actions, and rights activists have called for sanctions on the president and his aides.