The Observer Group wishes to clarify that at no stage did the Commonwealth Observer Group or any of its members give advice to the Maldives Police Service regarding its decision to take action to prevent the 19 October Presidential election from taking place.
On the contrary, the Commonwealth Observer Group issued a statement on 17 October, in which the Chair of the Observer Group, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, said 鈥淚 hope that all Maldivians will play their part to ensure that the 19 October election is conducted in a credible and peaceful manner, so that the people of Maldives can exercise their fundamental right to choose their President.鈥
