October 31, 2008
No. 209
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the first multi-candidate presidential election in the Maldives, which was completed on October 28, 2008:
"Canada congratulates the people of the Maldives on the successful conduct of their first multi-party presidential election. Canada also extends its congratulations to President-elect Mohamed Nasheed on his victory. The election is an important moment in the Maldives' ongoing political reform process, and the high turnout throughout both rounds of the election testifies to Maldivians' commitment to the democratic process.
"Canada actively supported the safe and transparent conduct of these elections, including through co-leadership by the Canadian High Commissioner to the Election Observation Mission during second-round voting. Canada looks forward to continuing to work with the Maldives in support of its democratic development."
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