Ousted Maldives president seeks international community's help to restore democracy

Male, Apr 28 (ANI): Ousted president Mohamed Nasheed has claimed that the Maldives, which has been hailed for it's democracy, has now taken a nosedive, and he is now looking for international help to sort out the worsening situation in the country.

Nasheed claims to have ushered in what he termed as the 'dawn of democracy' after he was elected president in 2008, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

He said that he was forced to resign by a coup launched by his autocratic predecessor, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who had served as president from 1978 until 2008.

Mohamed Nasheed added that he would now try to restore democracy in the country by trying to get support from the international community to conduct early elections.

The Maldives Government has announced, that the elections would be contested in July 2013, but Nasheed along with other analysts is skeptical.

Nasheed also expressed disappointment at India's recognition of Waheed Manik as the new president, and said that he was concerned over the Maldivian Government being a catalyst for conservative Islamist groups to take a deeper hold on society.There are radical elements within the military and within the cabinet," Nasheed said.

Nasheed said that conservative Islamic groups were already pushing for changes in educational curricula and making moves to stop entertainment, singing, and music. (ANI)