What is important is Maldives not Gayoom - Munnawar

01 December 2007
Report: Soodh

MDP President Dr. Mohamed Munnawar has said that what is important is Maldives and its people and not President Gayoom’s political carrier. He made the statement while speaking at assembly held at Dharubaaruge yesterday night by political parties and civil societies supporting interim government.

Speaking at the assembly Dr. Munnawar said that when Maldives is talked about President Gayoom does not come in to the picture. Dr. Munnawar said President Gayoom has never made any concessions without reservations and that President only makes concessions once he is forced to do so. He further said at a time when considerable changes are made to the constitution, it will seriously affect the role of President Gayoom.

Leader of the soon to be registered party, Maldivian Social Liberal Party (MSLP) as well as MP for Male’, Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) said as soon as President Gayoom announced his decision to run for further term in office, he was overcome with fear and apprehension. He further said his fear and apprehension further increased when a certain article of the Bill on commissioner of election was passed by the Special Majlis.

“The article says counting of votes of any election must be carried out after the completion of the voting process in the presence of the candidates or representatives of the candidates, votes are to be counted in the island or place where voting was held, on completion of the counting voting results are to be made public then and there; when you bring these two points together you can understand the cause for concern and apprehension, when the election is over and results revealed President Gayoom cannot digest the results, this may result in chaos and unrest in the country, that is the reason for my fear and apprehension” said Ibra.

Ibra further said President Gayoom will not get one fifth of votes received by other candidates competing for the presidency. Ibra said he fears that the results may be manipulated which in turn may through the country in to disorder and unrest.

“President Gayoom says the term of the presidency will expire on the November 11 next year under the present constitution as such the government is valid; but he turns the other side and says two terms must be counted under the new constitution, even though I am the Chairmen of the Drafting Committee, I can’t figure out how to consolidate these two, everywhere in the world it is the norm to establish procedures that may be followed when making transition to a new constitution “ said Ibra Leader of MSLP.

Speaking at the assembly President of Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) Umar Naseer said that he witnessing a new political dawn and the end of an age old regime. He said in accordance with nature’s law everything will come to end and in this regard this regime will come to an end as well. He further said the country now needs a new leadership and a unity government.

Umar further said he is ready to do what it takes to bring an end to the present government even if it means making a united front or boycotting the elections.

Chairperson of the main opposition, MDP, Mohamed Nashed (Anni) giving support to Umar said if boycotting or making a united front is what it takes to bring this regime down his party then he fully supports it.

Dr. Hassan Saeed who resigned from President’s cabinet last August said President Gayoom has made a lot of empty promises to the internal community and to Maldivians. Dr. Hassan said the President cannot just ignore it. He further said the proposed budget was not a budget designed to enhance the country’s economy but that was a budget intended to win the elections.

“I am standing for Presidency not because I have a personal agenda but because I want to reform the country, if I see somebody better than me then I will support him” said Dr. Hassan.

President Gayoom normally uses government employees as a tool for winning elections said Dr. Haasan.

“In every election a major role is played by government employees, they do this either for of losing their jobs or for fear of losing a promotion” said Dr. Hassan.

Dr. Hassan resigned from the government last August saying the President’s reform agenda has failed. Since his resignation Dr.Hassan has been openly critical of President Gayoom and the government.