An election under Waheed will not be legitimate, says Nasheed

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presidential candidate, former president Mohamed Nasheed has said it would be unlawful to partake in an election held under President Waheed, if he chooses to stay in office after midnight tonight.

Speaking to media for the first time after yesterday’s presidential election, Nasheed said the government and presidential term will end tonight and that outgoing President Dr Mohamed Waheed has been maintaining a government that they had formed together in 2008.

Nasheed said the constitution dictates that the presidency will expire at midnight tonight and that an election held with Waheed as president will not be legitimate.

“Dr Waheed, my vice president, will not continue as president. I believe that he stayed in power to maintain a government we formed together. Constitution clearly states the government will end. Partaking in an election with Waheed as president will be taking part in an unlawful election,” Nasheed said, speaking at a press conference inside Male’ City Hall.

He said Speaker of the Parliament must take over the presidential powers after the constitutional deadline and Maldives must conduct its next election under the control of the Speaker.

Nasheed said that after 11 November, the permanent secretaries in government ministry will have too seek directives from the Speaker of the Parliament.

“I have spoken with the President of the Civil Service Commission. I have also spoken with the Speaker of the Parliament. I hope that the Civil Service Commission and the parliament will communicate and work out a way to run the government,” Nasheed said.

Regarding the election, Nasheed said that it is important to the Maldivian people have the certainty that an election will be conducted on the next election date.

“We must next go to the polls with a guarantee that the election will be held, and that the State will have an executive through the election,” Nasheed said.

Neither he nor the Maldivian people are fazed by the Supreme Court rulings, but are concerned about the fundamental rights of the people, the former president said.