Japan has stated that the 2019 Parliamentary Election in the Maldives proceeded transparently with great independence.

Press Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Japan released a statement on Sunday, which elaborated on how the election proceeded. As such, it noted that the election was free and fair and that everything went smoothly and transparently with great independence.

Japan dispatched an election observer mission composed of 8 members led by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Norikazu Suzuki.

“As far as the observations by the Japanese election observer group are concerned, we acknowledge that the votings on 6th were generally held in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner,” the statement read.

The statement added that Japan expects that, through the elections, democracy will be further consolidated in the Maldives and Japan intends to cooperate with the Maldives for sustainable development and stability of the Maldives.