A senior United Nations political official will begin a two-day mission to the Maldives on Wednesday to meet with key actors and government officials prior to the presidential election scheduled for 9 November.

The repeated interventions of the Supreme Court in the presidential election process in the Maldives are undermining the country’s democracy, the United Nations human rights chief said today, calling on reforms to the judiciary to safeguard the rule of law.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his calls on all Maldivians to ensure a peaceful, inclusive and credible process for the presidential elections which will be held anew later this month.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged all political leaders in the Maldives to live up to their responsibilities and respect the democratic process in the second round of the presidential election on 28 September.