Global Voices: PHOTOS: ‘Silent Protest’ Demands Elections in Maldives

There is both excitement and tension in the air as the Maldives gears up for presidential elections to be held on November 9. The country has gone through politically turbulent times recently as the first election to be held after the controversial transfer of power of February 2012 has been postponed on multiple occasions. On September 7, a first round of voting was held, only for the results to be annulled by the Supreme Court, which ruled that there were electoral irregularities. Another attempt to have the election on October 19 was cancelled at the last minute. The Elections Commission of the Maldives alleged that its work was obstructed by the police, a claim which the police denies.

After several months of intense campaigning, people have grown restless with prolonged delays in holding the election, even more so as politicians blamed one another for the hold-up. Even with the country's judiciary, executive and the parliament entangled in what appeared to be a looming constitutional crisis, the people's desire for a free and fair election has not been dampened.

Photographer Shaari documented a ‘Silent Protest’ held on October 21 calling for an election in the following series of photos (images used with permission):

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