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February 13, 2012

New President of Maldives Rejects Call For Elections 
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The newly installed president of the Maldives is rejecting calls for a
new election following last week's coup. Mohamed Waheed Hussain Manik
replaced Mohamed Nasheed last week after what Nasheed described as an
armed coup. Nasheed was the first democratically elected president of
the Maldives. On Sunday, Waheed said now was not the time for a new
election.

Mohamed Waheed Hussain Manik: "I don't agree that there is a need for
snap elections at the moment and we are not ready for it, the country is
deeply divided. The political landscape has many potholes and deep rifts
and these things need to be healed before we have a meaningful and free
and fair elections."

Mohamed Nasheed has vowed to keep pushing for democracy in the Maldives.

Mohamed Nasheed: "I am always worried about being arrested, beaten up
and tortured. But we have to do what we have to do. I think the amount
of the people who are always around us and the support that we are
getting is creating a situation where it is very difficult for the
police to drag me out."



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