The Secretary-General calls on the people of the Maldives to ensure that the upcoming presidential elections on 7 September will be conducted in a credible and peaceful manner. In such a context, the Secretary-General encourages all presidential candidates to respect the election results no matter who wins and asks that all stakeholders overcome their past differences.  He urges all Maldivians to work together in a constructive manner toward national harmony and democratic consolidation and he highlights, in particular, the need for a renewed commitment to the institutional reform process.