Maldives, March 29 (NIA) – The Maldives government, on Wednesday said that a vote of no confidence on the Speaker of Parliament which was defeated on Monday was conducted in a transparent and democratic manner.
The statement came a day after the US Embassy in Sri Lanka and Maldives released a statement saying it was concerned about irregularities that impeded a free and fair vote in the Maldives Parliament on March 27.
The US called on the Maldives government to restore faith in democratic processes by ensuring free and impartial proceedings in Parliament, free and fair local elections, and basic freedoms of press, assembly, and speech.
In a statement however released by the Maldives President’s Office, the government expressed its unshakable commitment to uphold the rule of law and democratic principles, and to respect the democratic decisions taken by institutions of the State.
“The Maldives Parliament, since its establishment in 1932, has been, and will continue to be, the strongest defender and the lead proponent of democratic values in the country,” the statement said.
“The vote in the Parliament yesterday was conducted in the most transparent manner and through a democratic process underpinned by the rule of law and specifically in accordance with the Constitution of Maldives and the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament,” it added.
The government further expressed confidence that the country’s international partners would respect the democratic decisions of State institutions, including the Parliament.
The government also said that it remains engaged with international partners in further promoting democratic values in the country and in strengthening the democratic institutions in the Maldives.