Male/New Delhi, Oct 17

India Thursday expressed the hope that the fresh presidential poll in Maldives will be held as scheduled on Saturday and a new president sworn in Nov 11.

This was conveyed by Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh who flew down to Male Wednesday night.

Singh, who met President Mohamed Waheed and Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim, "strongly urged all parties to accept the results of elections to enable a smooth transfer of power and reconciliation post elections".

The Indian foreign secretary had gone to Maldives to discuss the prevailing political solution. Besides the president and defence minister, she met former president Gayoom and presidential candidates former president Mohamed Nasheed and Gasim Ibrahim, said an official statement.

"During her meetings, she reaffirmed India's commitment and friendship to the people of Maldives. She conveyed that as a close-friend and a strategic partner of Maldives, India has always supported the efforts for a peaceful, prosperous and stable Maldives and the strengthening of its democratic process and institutions," the statement said.

Singh "reiterated India's call for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections in a peaceful environment fulfilling the democratic aspirations of the people of Maldives. 

She expressed the hope and expectation that the electoral process would proceed as scheduled with the first round to be held on Oct 19, and if required, the second round before Nov 3 so that a new President is sworn in on Nov 11 as stipulated by the constitution of Maldives. 

Nasheed had won the Sep 7 ballot with over 45 percent votes. The Supreme Court of Maldives annulled the first round results and ordered fresh polls on a petition by Gasim's Jumhoory Party alleging electoral fraud.

By:IANS