Political analysts and constitutional experts in Maldives say that advance preparations such as organizing campaign activities should not be an issue although such activities are restricted under the current constitution.
As presidential candidates are openly pressing on with their campaigning many people have raised questions on the legality of such activities.
Miadhu Daily in order to clarify the matter contacted some of the presidential candidates, political leaders and constitutional experts. They were all unanimous that campaigning was not a problem.
Lubna Zahir Dhivehi Rahyithunge Party (DRP) Parliamentary Group member said that at a time when democratic reform was being introduced to the country, campaigning should not be an issue.
“We are going to be fully democratic country, at a time when such major changes are introduced campaigning cannot be considered as an issue” said Lubna.
Even though Lubna is of the opinion that campaign activities is not an issue DRP Chief Spokesperson Ibrahim Shafiu has a different opinion. According to Shafiu people who aspires to be top executive of the country must conform to the current legislations and should not act in a manner that might confuse the public. He said that by such actions the candidates will lose the support of the people.
“Campaigning can only commence after being registered at the Election Commissioner’s Office and when the Commissioner authorizes to begin campaigning. Any campaigning prior to that is not acceptable, people who aspire to gain the top position of the country is not laying the foundation correctly, by such actions they will only lose the support” said Shafiu.
Miadhu Daily contacted to the Election Commissioner’s office to obtain their comment on the matter. However they declined to comment on the matter.
Dr. Ahmed Shaheed former Foreign Minister speaking on behalf of Presidential candidate Dr. Hassan Saeed as the Special Majlis has indicated that the existing constitution framework is not be used in the future, advance preparations for the elections and advising the people of the opportunities they have, was not a problem.
“What I am saying is that government has said that next presidential elections is going to be multi party elections, getting ready for the elections and letting the public know of the opportunities they have is not a problem, there is no specific time for that” said Dr. Shaheed.
Umar Naseer President of Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) says event the current constitution does not prohibit campaigning and that if political parties are to be accepted then campaigning can go on at any time.
“Even the current constitution does not prohibit campaigning; it gives a time period for campaign activities, then other thing is political parties are to be accepted then campaign activities can be held at any time” said Umar.
President of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Dr. Mohamed Munnawar said getting ready for presidential elections in advance and organizing campaign activities is not a problem. He said he believed those old procedures need to changed.
As presidential candidates are openly pressing on with their campaigning many people have raised questions on the legality of such activities.
Miadhu Daily in order to clarify the matter contacted some of the presidential candidates, political leaders and constitutional experts. They were all unanimous that campaigning was not a problem.
Lubna Zahir Dhivehi Rahyithunge Party (DRP) Parliamentary Group member said that at a time when democratic reform was being introduced to the country, campaigning should not be an issue.
“We are going to be fully democratic country, at a time when such major changes are introduced campaigning cannot be considered as an issue” said Lubna.
Even though Lubna is of the opinion that campaign activities is not an issue DRP Chief Spokesperson Ibrahim Shafiu has a different opinion. According to Shafiu people who aspires to be top executive of the country must conform to the current legislations and should not act in a manner that might confuse the public. He said that by such actions the candidates will lose the support of the people.
“Campaigning can only commence after being registered at the Election Commissioner’s Office and when the Commissioner authorizes to begin campaigning. Any campaigning prior to that is not acceptable, people who aspire to gain the top position of the country is not laying the foundation correctly, by such actions they will only lose the support” said Shafiu.
Miadhu Daily contacted to the Election Commissioner’s office to obtain their comment on the matter. However they declined to comment on the matter.
Dr. Ahmed Shaheed former Foreign Minister speaking on behalf of Presidential candidate Dr. Hassan Saeed as the Special Majlis has indicated that the existing constitution framework is not be used in the future, advance preparations for the elections and advising the people of the opportunities they have, was not a problem.
“What I am saying is that government has said that next presidential elections is going to be multi party elections, getting ready for the elections and letting the public know of the opportunities they have is not a problem, there is no specific time for that” said Dr. Shaheed.
Umar Naseer President of Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) says event the current constitution does not prohibit campaigning and that if political parties are to be accepted then campaigning can go on at any time.
“Even the current constitution does not prohibit campaigning; it gives a time period for campaign activities, then other thing is political parties are to be accepted then campaign activities can be held at any time” said Umar.
President of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Dr. Mohamed Munnawar said getting ready for presidential elections in advance and organizing campaign activities is not a problem. He said he believed those old procedures need to changed.
No comments:
Post a Comment