Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Saturday condemned the third postponement of the local council elections, labeling the move as "unconstitutional and cowardly attempt to avoid facing the electorate."
Maldives' electoral watchdog Friday had delayed the council polls over the rapid spread of the H1N1 virus in the archipelago.
The elections already put off two occasions, both over the rift in the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has been re-scheduled to May 6.
Elections commission during an emergency press conference on Friday said the decision was prompted by the epidemic which has shown no signs of abating thus far.
EC deputy chief Amjad Musthafa said the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has advised to limit the preparations due to the threat of swine flu spread.
"We've seen elections postponed over natural disasters in the past. The parliamentary elections in 2004 was postponed due to the Asian Tsunami. So our priority now is to ensure public safety based on the advise of the health officials," Amjad explained.
MDP however, in a statement refused to accept the grounds of the third delay, accusing president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom of abusing his authority over state institutions to deny the will of the people.
"By using state institutions to delay and cancel elections multiple times, the MDP is concerned Yameen is trying to create cynicism among voters and discredit the very idea of elections and democracy in the Maldives," the statement read.
MDP also expressed fears that all future elections in the archipelago could be compromised under president Yameen's government.
"MDP calls upon our international partners to urgently take punitive action against President Yameen, his officials and corrupt members of so-called independent institutions in order to help reverse the Maldives’ continued slide towards authoritarianism and one-man rule."
