Maldives opposition welcomes EU request for early election

The Maldives opposition led by former president Mohamed Nasheed has welcomed the European Union stance for an early election and an impartial investigation on the controversial power transfer on Feb. 7, a party spokesman said on Thursday. \"The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) welcomes the latest statement by the High Representative Catgherine Ashton on behalf of the European Union which reiterated the importance of an early democratic elections and impartial investigation to the transfer of power on February 7 which overthrew the first democratically elected president in a police and military backed coup,\" Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, MDP spokesperson for international affairs said. In its statement, the EU statement noted that agreement on the holding of early elections, on the independent investigation of the transfer of power of Feb. 7 and reestablishment of the correction functioning of government and parliament is now more important than ever. The MDP accused new president Mohammed Waheed of refusing to hold an early election. It has also raised concerns over the national inquiry mission appointed by Waheed and complained that there is lack of commitment on his part to an impartial investigation in partnership with international bodies. \"The MDP will continue to work closely with the EU and other international partners to ensure we hold early elections this year. The EU, Commonwealth and many of our development partners have echoed this. The regime must not disregard their concerns for the people of the Maldives,\" Ghafoor said. The Maldives with nearly 1,200 scattered atolls is undergoing political turmoil since former vice president took over the office as president following a controversial power transfer. Former president Nasheed claimed he was ousted by a military backed coup.