Commonwealth has urged to increase the participation of women in politics.
A team of Commonwealth delegates has been active in the Maldives since 30th March to observe the parliamentary election. In a statement released following Saturday's election, the team hailed the Elections Commission for the well organized and peaceful conduct of the election.
However, the head of the delegation Former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding acknowledged that although a large number of women acted as officials of the Elections Commission, the number of men who voted in the election was still significantly higher than that of women.
Golding also urged political parties and the newly elected parliament members to put in more effort in strengthening the involvement of women in politics.
Although all proceedings of Saturday's election were smooth, the team of observers identified that offenses such as the buying and selling of votes were still taking place. A detailed report on their findings will be submitted to the Secretary General of the Commonwealth by the delegation.
After being a member country of the Commonwealth for 34 years, Maldives withdrew from the Commonwealth during former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom's rule. The movement had accused the Commonwealth of interfering with the country's civil issues before withdrawing from the organization.
However, under incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's 100 day pledges, the government has already requested to rejoin the Commonwealth.
Elections Commission has previously revealed that over 30 international observers will be monitoring the parliamentary election.
Commonwealth delegates during Saturday's parliamentary election - Photo: Commonwealth
