South Asian giants India has a "moral obligation" to ensure free and fair elections in its neighbours Maldives, self exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed insisted Sunday.
"We believe that India has a moral obligation to facilitate inclusive, free and fair elections in the Maldives," Nasheed who had recently announced that he would stand for the next presidential elections told Times of India.
"India must build the necessary leverages to make it happen. We know that India can do it," added Nasheed, who was jailed on terror charges after he was convicted and sentenced to 13 years in prison over the arbitrary detention of a sitting judge while he was president.
Nasheed now lives in self imposed exile in the UK after he was allowed to leave to Britain on medical leave in an internationally brokered deal in January last year.
Nasheed, who recently visited Colombo to meet his party leaders had stressed on the need for international pressure on the government to allow him to contest.
"We have decided that the MDP will produce a candidate, I am hopeful to be that candidate," the 49-year-old told reporters in Colombo after talks with party leaders who are living in exile in the Sri Lankan capital.
He would be able to contest party primaries from outside the country, but would need to return to Male for the election.
The Maldives constitution bars Nasheed from being a candidate because of a 2015 criminal conviction.
But the former leader expects the restriction to be lifted in response to international pressure.
