Commonwealth, EU to observe Maldives presidential poll

The Commonwealth and the European Union have expressed interest in observing the upcoming presidential elections in the Maldives, local media reported on Thursday. Deputy President Ahmed Fayaz said the Commonwealth would send a team to observe the Sept. 7 elections, Haveeru online reported. "Embassies of some European countries have expressed their interest. It (EU) will also send a (separate) team. But we will know the number of observers once we open applications," he said. The commission on Wednesday opened applications for observers and those interested in working as officials at the polling stations in the islands. The U.S. government has also decided to support Maldivian public institutions and civil society organizations through a 2.5 million U.S. dollar, 18 month program to promote an open, democratic election by increasing civic participation. The program, which was announced last month, will be implemented by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) with Maldivian partners Transparency Maldives and the Raajje Foundation, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said in a statement. India has also offered to help train election's officials ahead of September. The Maldives is gearing up for presidential elections in September after former President Mohamed Nasheed was controversially ousted from power last year in what he claims to be a coup. The government has vehemently denied such claims and called for a fresh poll.