No date for presidential election fixed; political leaders commence campaign

Party opinion and thinking may change when date is announced.

As 30 years of Presidency of President Maumoon ends on the 11 of November this year, a suitable candidate has to come forward to accept the challenge and responsibility of leading the country through a new term. Whether the person elected on the basis that a single person’s name is put to a referendum for the people to put “kuda kaafu or bodu kaafu”, as has been the alleged norm in previous years, a President has to be elected 60 days prior to the completion of Presidential term according to the clause 1 of article 49 of chapter 3 of the current constitution. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the longest serving leader in South Asia, has said that he would seek re-election for another term. However even President Gayoom based his decision to stand reelection on the much expected new constitution that is currently in the process of being formulated.

The elections commissioner has revealed that he is not aware when the Presidential Elections will be held or whether that election would be held under a new constitution or whether under a revised constitution. Elections office says that it is possible that People’s Majlis elections may have to be scheduled before the Presidential elections if the People’s Special Majlis passes to form a transitional government. So, the elections commission is not even sure whether Presidential elections could be held this year.

The leader of ruling Dhivehi Rahyyithuge Party (DRP), Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was the first one to announce that he would stand for presidency in the first ever multi party elections to scheduled for this year.

The rules of procedure of President Maumoon’s DRP states that the Leader of the party can only compete in Presidential elections, so Maumoon is the only candidate in DRP who would be permitted to represent DRP in the forthcoming elections. Although Maumoon has on his own announced that he would compete in the Presidential elections on behalf of the party, DRP has yet to announce when they would commence their campaign.

Chief Spokesperson has said as the top positions are all filled by DRP members the opportunity afforded to them by the state controlled media can be used a further their campaign process and as such an unofficial campaigning is already going on. He had even indicated that DRP would make the best use of such opportunities. The opposition Alliance has alleged that the President’s visit to the northern atolls of the country was a presidential campaign which used the state funds and resources.

The main opposition party, who has been the most adamant to bring an end to the Gayoom’s rule, has not yet announced their presidential candidate. Chairperson of MDP Mohamed Nasheed and the President of MDP Dr. Mohamed Munnawar has said the MDP would elect a presidential candidate only when the constitutional reform process is completed. Chairperson Nasheed has said as any member of the MDP can compete for the Presidency as stipulated by party regulations. He further has said the MDP is a member’s party and not a specific person’s party.

“Our party unlike DRP does not circle around one particular person, there are many hopeful contenders among us” said Anni chairperson of MDP speaking at meeting at Nalahiya.

MDP has said the party gives priority to forming a transitional government before the presidential elections this year. Opposition says the main reason for the formation of a transitional government before the elections is because the present Gayoom administration is incapable of holding a free and fair election. Opposition also say that the independent institutions required for a free and fair elections can only obtain their full independency in any meaningful way if and only when a transitional government remain in force.

Opposition is very concerned with the prospect of President Gayoom competing for presidency when his government is talking about holding the elections under them. The MDP led Alliance is clear example of such concern. The joining of Adhaalath Party, Social Liberal Party, Islamic Democratic Party with MDP shows their common ground on the issue. Although IDP and Adhaalth Party in comparison to MDP and DRP do have much political muscle, IDP has put forward their Presidential hopeful and is vigorously campaigning. The President of the Adhaalath Party Sheikh Hussain Rasheed has said that the party is not very enthusiastic to compete for the presidency. Although the interim leader of the Social Liberal Party as well as Member of the People’s Majlis Ibrahim Ismail (Ibra) claims that his party is legally registered party, the Commissioner of Elections KD Ahmed Manik has refused to accept the legality of the party and has refused entry to the register of the political parties operating in the party. What ever may the case, even Ibra has announced that he would compete for the Presidency.

Political analysts believe that the only Presidential Candidate who creates concern among President Maumoon’s crowd is Former Attorney General Dr. Hassan Saeed. The main reason for this could because of the continued support of Former Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Shaheed and Former Justice Minister Mohamed Jameel who was widely accepted by the public to be minister’s of reform. With the change of the name from New Maldives Group to New Maldives Movement, the group has evolved to a leading social and political institution which is very vocal and open in its criticisms of President Gayoom and has stated that the movement is committed to bring an end to the Gayoom’s rule. The new Maldives Movements joining movement joining hands with opposition Alliance has made Dr. Hassan Saeed the front runner in the presidential race.

Many believe President Gayoom’s half brother Abdulla Yamin will play an important part in the presidential race in some form. Abdulla Yamin who resigned from the government as well as from the ruling DRP early last year formed the social entity People’s Association (PA) which he used as a political platform. Many believe the main reason for the resignation of the New Maldives group was the strong influence of Yamin’s rich friends. As such many now believe that PP may form an alliance with other parties and continue to be force to be reckoned with. This is clearly indicated by the recent attempts by Yamin to join with Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik’s National Alliance to form an alliance to put forward a single candidate in the coming presidential elections. Vice President of PA as well as MP for Mulak Atoll Ahmed Nazim has confirmed that PA has engaged in discussions with National Alliance to establish common grounds.

As the most recent two entries to the Register of Political Parties are still in their infancy it is believed that they will not have much impact on the elections. Even Maldivian Social Democratic Party (MSDP) led by Rico Ibrahim Manik is widely believed to be puppet party to Gayoom and therefore will not exert much influence on the elections.

The main topic occupying everybody’s attention is when the first ever multi party election will take place and how it will be managed. Actually the people can only make decision on the future of the nation only after this stage.

The current thinking of the public may change direction depending on decisions such as when the presidential elections will be held or how it will be managed and who will be contenders.