Maldives police on Monday said it had received intelligence reports of several plots to carry out violent attacks throughout the country in a bid to undermine the credibility of the upcoming presidential elections.
Police spokesperson Ahmed Shifan read out a statement which said the police had received reports of planned attacks in the capital Male and other islands to show the rest of the world that the crunch elections slated for later this month was not free and fair.
The plans include arson attacks, vandalism and even murder, Shifan said.
"By law the police have the foremost responsibility to ensure peace and security in the country. So we urge the people planning to carry out attacks to stop it immediately. Because police will find the masterminds behind such plots and take strict action in accordance with the laws," he added.
The police statement come in the wake of multiple stabbing attacks in recent weeks believed to be gang related.
The crunch elections is set to be a two horse race between incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom who is seeking re-election and opposition alliance candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who has been backed by Yameen's main political rivals including the now jailed former presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed.
Unlike in previous elections, the presidential race would be decided in the first round and is widely seen more as a 'referendum' with a straight choice between the opposition and the government more than an election.
