MDP Presidential Primary: Ricco and Anni to accept proxy vote

Even though Dr. Mohamed Munavvar President of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) competing in the party presidential primary has said he will not make use of any proxy votes, the other 2 candidates competing in the presidential primary has made it clear that will accept proxy votes.

The other 2 candidates competing in the primary, MP for Laamu Atoll Mr. Moosa Manik and former chairperson Mr. Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) has also said the voting by proxy is against the spirit of elections but that they would accept proxy votes.

Mr. Anni said that there were many party members abroad and that if the members want to vote by proxy then he would make use of it and that it was important to provide the opportunity and facilitate means where those members can vote.

Dr. Mohamed Munavvar at a campaign rally held at Kulhudhuhfushi last Friday night has said that he was not in favor of voting by proxy. Dr. Munavvar said the voting by proxy violates the principles of voting and is against the spirit of elections.

At the address given at Hdh Kulhudhuhfushi, Dr. Munavvar said he will not make use of any proxy votes despite other two candidates competing in the primary doing so. He said as the MDP reformists are people with high awareness on politics, their actions must confirm what they say. In this regard he said all members should come out and vote on their own free will.

MDP Presidential Primaries: No competitive sprit among candidates

The lack of competitive spirit between the 3 MDP presidential candidates competing in the party primaries became apparent at the primary debate held last Wednesday night.

At the news conference like debate held at Dharubaaruge the 3 MDP presidential hopefuls Dr. Mohamed Munavvar President of the party, former chairperson of the party Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, member of party Parliamentarian Group Ricco Moosa Manik , while answering the questions of the press did not express any criticism of each other nor was any attempt made to prove that one was more qualified and capable to executive the top function of the country.

“We are not trying to challenge one another but we going to challenge President Gayoom” was the response given to Miadhu Daily when asked about the lack of competitive spirit.

At news conference like debate the 3 MDP candidates mainly spoke about the policies of an MDP led government. In this regard MDP policy on the abuse of drugs in the country, housing and shelter, population consolidation, education, employment and the development of the atolls were highlighted.

MDP to hold presidential debates

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has revealed that presidential primary debates will soon be held under the initiative of some media stakeholders. According to MDP two debates has been scheduled. One debate is scheduled for 2 April while the other is scheduled for 23 April. MDP says that the number of debates, time and organizers of the debate was reached at a meeting held by the party yesterday morning.

MDP also says in addition the 3 candidates competing in the primaries, 3 media groups who initiated the debates also attended the meeting. The 3 media groups are Jazeera, Haamaa Daily and Dhi FM. MDP also informed that Maldives Media Association and members of MDP Presidential Primary 2008 Committee also attended the meeting. MDP further revealed that the main point highlighted at the meeting was the exposure the candidates will receive due to the debate. MDP Secretariat informs if TVM does not agree to give live coverage to the debates then the party will buy airtime from other channels to bring the debate live to the people.

MDP presidential primary candidate Reeko Moosa Manik began a 3 day campaign tour to norther Atolls, Haa Alif and Haa Dhaal on Thursday. His first public meeting was in HA. Ihavandhoo.

The next meeting will be in HA. Hanimaadhoo, Violem Maalam at 4:00 pm on Friday as well as a meeting in HDh. Kulhudhuffushi at 08:00pm. On Saturday he will attend a meeting in Ha. Hoarafushi, at 04:00pm and the meeting will be held in the Hoarafushi School hall.

MDP presidential candidates to participate in live debates

Male' - According to official sources, the Maldivian Democratic Party's presidential candidates will be taking part in two live debates next month. The first one is schedule for 2nd April and is organised by Media Association in conjunction with other media groups, such as DhiFM Radio, Jazeera and Haama Daily newspapers.

The second debate will be on 23rd April, which is organised by DhiFM Radio group. In a meeting held on Thursday, the main issue of discussion is that despite requests from media groups, the Dictator is unwilling to give the candidates any television exposure.

The TVM, run by Kutti Nasheed, is refusing to agree to cover these two debates. Another clear sign that the Maldives Dictator is unable to digest the basic elements of free election and campaigning. MDP and the organisers of these debates are now looking into buying airtime from satellite broadcasting channels.

Shareef to take MDP seriously if controlled by reformists

MP for Addu Atoll as well as Member of DRP Parliamentary Group Ibrahim Shahreef has said that if Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) comes under the control of those members working for reform then he would take the party very seriously. MP Shareef was formally a key MDP member who later joined DRP.

MP Shareef speaking to Miadhu Daily said that he resigned from MDP due to pressures of the former chairperson of the party. He said it was almost impossible to work for reform with such pressures and if MDP ever comes under the control of those MDP members who still sincerely work for reform he would take the party seriously.

“I resigned from MDP as I believed that I could not make any valuable contribution towards reform due to excessive pressures from the then chairperson of the party Mohamed Nasheed (Anni), If I see a different picture for example if those reform oriented members of MDP take charge of that party then I will take the party very seriously” said MP Shareef.

He further said that the current President of MDP Dr. Mohamed Munavvar was a capable and farsighted leader with a sound political vision. He also said under Dr. Munavvar’s leadership MDP has seen favorable changes but that Anni still tries to exert his influence.
“Current MDP leader is a strong and a capable leader, under his leadership MDP has seen many favorable changes, however we can still see Anni exerting his influence” said Shareef.

In addition Shareef pointed out that activists, revolutionary leaders and reform leaders are 3 separate groups of people. He said Dr. Munavvar was a political leader working to introduce democratic reform to the country.

Anni and Dr. Munavvar are both competing in the MDP primaries to win the presidential nomination.

Speaking to Miadhu Daily MP Shareef did not specifically rule out joining MDP altogether. However he criticized Anni’s attempts to exert influence over the party and called it undemocratic.

Ricco Moosa opens campaign office

Ricco Moosa Manik, member of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary Group as well as MP for Laamu Atoll has opened a campaign office in Male’. MP Ricco Moosa is competing in the party presidential primaries.

Moosa’s campaign was launched at Kalaafaanu School under the slogan “people’s government to the people”. Moosa’s main area of concern in his opening campaign speech was the growing drug abuse in the country and corruption.

In his opening campaign speech Moosa promised to control the growing issues drug abuse within one year and said he will look in to the corruption issues closely.

MDP presidential primaries are being contested by 3 candidates. They are candidate no 1 Dr. Mohamed Munavvar , President of the Party, candidate no 2 Ricco Moosa Manik, Member of MDP Parliamentary Group as well as MP for Laamu Atoll and candidate no 3 Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) former chairperson of the party.

Maldives will get a new president this year – Dr. Shaheed

Dr. Ahmed Shaheed former Foreign Minister has said that Maldives would get a new President following the presidential elections scheduled later in the year. Dr. Shaheed said that President Gayoom can choose anybody within the DRP to be his running mate in the elections and that it would not make any difference.

Speaking to Miadhu Daily Dr. Shaheed said that choosing Atolls Minister Thasmeen Ali to be the running mate would be like “cutting off the branch one is sitting on” and that the only way for President Gayoom to get any success is by choosing Finance Minister Qasim for the position. However Dr. Shaheed said it would hardly affect the election results whether President Gayoom choose Minister Qasim or Minister Thasmeen and that he was confident Maldives would get a new president after the elections.

Dr. Shaheed also said only way for President Gayoom to get any success would be to get the support of Minister Qasim.

“Choosing Thasmeen over Qasim would be a serious mistake” said Dr. Shaheed speaking via telephone from abroad.

He also said even if President Gayoom choose KD Ahmed Manik to be running mate it would hardly matter as there is simply no way President Gayoom can win this elections.

“Even if he choose KD Ahmed Manik to be his running mate it would hardly matter, this is simply not his year, this year belong to a young energetic and capable leader, this year Maldives would get a new leader” said Dr. Shaheed.

Anni launches campaign website

Male' - Mohamed Nasheed (Anni), one of the 3 candidates contesting in the presidential primary of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has launched his official website www.voteanni.com, to provide information about the campaign to party members and wider public. Other candidates are expected to launch their sites shortly. The ballot is scheduled to take place on 25th April 2008. On the same day, party members will also elect a new chairperson.

MDP to boycott elections

MDP Parliamentary Group last Thursday revealed that it will recommend to the party to boycott forthcoming presidential elections if the proposed amendments currently under considerations at the Majlis are endorsed. MDP Parliamentary Group revealed this at a news conference held last Thursday.

President of the MDP Parliamentary Group MP Hassan Afeef said that if the amendments are endorsed by the Majlis free and fair elections cannot be ensured. He said he was very concerned with the proposed amendments and if endorsed many civil servants can be politically influenced.

“If the amendments are endorsed more than 15,000 people will excluded from the Civil Service and will come under the direct influence of the government” said Afeef.

He said if the amendments are allowed to get through, Civil Service will be effectually without any powers and that many employees will come under the influence of President Gayoom. He said there was no sincerity in the proposed amendments.

“The idea is to influence atoll chiefs, islands chiefs and other senior atoll and island office officials to influence the presidential elections” said MP Afeef.

Male’ Member Mohamed Shihab speaking at the elections said the proposed amendments were designed to influence the elections and that if passed free and fair elections cannot be held. He said boycott of elections would be the best option.

MDP MPs Call For Election Boycott If Civil Service Amendments Pass

Mohamed Shihab and Hassan Afeef of the largest opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have called for political parties not to participate in the upcoming presidential elections if proposed amendments to the Civil Service Act pass a parliamentary vote.

Both are members of parliament, with Afeef heading the party parliamentary group. Opposition groups have argued the amendments are an attempt to regain presidential control over a large sector of the country’s civil servants ahead of the elections.

Debate in the Majlis (parliament) over the amendments continues, with a vote expected next week.