Maldives' EC officials in India to study Karnataka elections

A seven member delegation from the Maldivian Election Commission is on a visit to India to get first-hand experience of the assembly elections in Karnataka, as they prepare for forthcoming Presidential polls in the island nation.

The delegation, which left for India on May 4, will have a first-hand experience of the assembly elections in Karnataka state, voting for which was done yesterday and counting will be held on May 8, Indian High Commission in Male said in a statement.

The Indian Election Commission will organise a special election-related training module for the Maldives delegation in Mysore. The delegation will return to Maldives on May 9.

Indian High Commissioner Rajeev Shahare, met the delegation members prior to their departure, to discuss their visit as well as other issues related to the upcoming elections in Maldives.

The delegation is led by President of the Election Commission Fuad Thaufeeg, includes other senior officials of the Commission.

The Election Commission of India has been supporting the Maldivian Election Commission, as per Maldivian requirement, for capacity-building to enhance its election-preparedness for Presidential and Local Council elections in 2013 and Parliament elections in 2014.

A team from Election Commission of India had also visited Maldives in March, which included visits to Maamigili and Fensfushi islands, for meetings and assessment and have jointly drawn up a comprehensive cooperation programme.

India has been actively engaged with Male to end the political standoff in the Maldives between the opposition and the government which has plunged the country into unprecedented political turmoil ever since the controversial resignation of former president Mohamed Nasheed in February last year.