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Referendum Underway in the Maldives
By Islomaniac | August 19, 2007
Yesterday, the people of the Maldives were offered the opportunity to vote for change. Ballot boxes traveled by boat to far-flung atolls ahead of a landmark referendum on Saturday to decide the country’s political future.It has taken a number of years to get the Special Majlis to decide whether or not to hold a referendum on the nature of the constitution. This debate refers to whether the constitution should follow the Presidential Form (US style) or the Westminster (UK Parliamentary) system.
Despite the delays the referendum is underway. The referendum essentially comes down to a battle between the controversial current President Gayoom’s party the DRP (Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party) and the main opposition MDP (Maldivian Democratice Party) which is led by its chairman Mohamed Nasheed and its president Mohamed Munavaar.
President Gayoom has been the leader of the country since the 1970s is in favor of the Presidential Form of government. Gayoom believes that the Presidential system is ideal for a small country such as the Maldives. Gayoom also maintains that the Presidential system protects the rights of the people and ensures maximum stability.
The MDP which has official connections to the conservative party of the UK believes that a Parliamentary system is better suited for the Maldives and that it would prevent the emergence of Gayoom and the likes from ever achieving power in the Maldives. The MDP believes that a Parliamentary system will ensure maximum participation of the people in the administration and affairs of the country. In addition it will allow the government to be formed among the elected representatives of the people.
Although the referendum is about the constitution for most what it comes down to is whether or not Gayoom will get to continue to be in charge of the country. The people of the Maldives have the opportunity to let the world know whether or not they would like to have a person like President Gayoom have most, if not all powers with hardly any checks and balances or whether they would like to adopt a new and different form of government.
I am actually quite concerned about what will happen in this election. It was recently revealed by the Human rights Chief of Maldives that only one third of the people in Maldives understood their rights. Secondly President Gayoom has already declared his intention to stand for Presidentship in the new dispensation even before the referendum was announced. Finally there is a somewhat bad history associated with referendums in the Maldives. In the past two referendums including the one in 1968, results have gone against the ruling entity. In addition, the MDP claims that 85% of people favor a Parliamentary system. If this is the case than how come Gayoom is still in power? Western diplomats seem to believe that Gayoom is likely to win the referendum as most Maldivians appeared unwilling to embrace radical change, but they would like the president to step aside or share powers with others.
I will update everyone once the results of the election are made public. Let me know your thoughts, dissension is welcome on this blog.
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Topics: Island Cultures, Islands and Politics |
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